The next stage of habitat restoration work is about to begin at the Chinook Bend Natural Area on the Snoqualmie River.
Beginning in early December, the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks will use heavy machinery to vertically install large, live tree trunks at select sites to enhance the floodplain at Chinook Bend as part of a larger salmon recovery effort.
The work, which is expected to last two to three weeks, will temporarily close vehicular access to the site and could impact foot traffic and river access.
Restoring habitat in this area will help improve salmon use and floodplain processes while maintaining flood protection and improving the overall health of the watershed.
Work at Chinook Bend will continue into 2009, with completion expected in the fall. Next year’s work includes the proposed removal of the levee and revetment along the riverbank.
The Chinook Bend Natural Area is located two miles north of Carnation in unincorporated King County. This 59-acre property lies within the Snoqualmie River's 100-year floodplain and is adjacent the river on three sides.
The site consists predominately of pastureland with smaller areas of wetlands and mature deciduous forest cover along the river edge.
The property was donated to King County in May of 2000 by the Nestle USA Corporation for use as open space and habitat protection.
Restoration efforts at Chinook Bend have occurred in stages. Earlier efforts included volunteers planting more than 8,000 trees over the past nine years to create a forested floodplain in the former pasture.
Minor earth work to create hummocks, depressions and a more diverse shoreline, as well as the installation of a water control structure to manage wetland water levels have just been completed.
Plantings of native vegetation and soil moisture management will take place over the next two years, and a barrier-free trail, new parking lot and viewing platform are all scheduled to be added in 2009.
The Chinook Bend Habitat Restoration Project is funded by the King Conservation District, Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks.
For more information, contact Mary Maier, King County at 206-296-1914 or mary.maier@kingcounty.gov.
Related Information
King County Water and Land Resources Division