Witness habitat history in the making on the Duwamish River tonight

King County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invite you to see historic ecosystem restoration as it happens at the North Wind’s Weir project in Tukwila tonight.

During this event, which is timed to coincide with an extreme low tide, crews will dig out an opening allowing water from the Duwamish River to flow for the very first time into this vital salmon habitat restoration project.

Named for a rocky ledge that juts into the river and is visible only at lower tides, the North Wind’s Weir habitat restoration project site lies at the critical point where the freshwater of the Green/Duwamish River and saltwater of Puget Sound mix.

When completed next year, the North Wind’s Weir restoration will offer federally-protected chinook salmon with shallow water habitat, feeding opportunities, and plenty of hiding places as they make the transition from freshwater to saltwater.  It also will provide habitat for shorebirds and wildlife.

Construction includes 2 ½ acres of off-channel habitat that will allow water to flow onto the land to create a mudflat and vegetated marsh. Surrounding the new embayment will be restored upland areas planted with native trees, shrubs and grasses.

North Wind’s Weir is one of the largest restoration projects ever completed on the Duwamish River, and demonstrates the region’s commitment to restoring this once-neglected part of King County.

Earthmoving will begin at 10 tonight, during an extreme low tide.  Staff will be on site to meet with media from 10–11 p.m.  If you are interested in participating, please call Dennis Clark at 206-369-8339. Additional earthmoving will continue during the early morning hours (beginning around midnight) of Dec. 3 and Dec. 4.

Where: 2724 S. 112th St. in north Tukwila.  A map of the site can be found at http://www.govlink.org/watersheds/9/pdf/vicinity-map-NWW-groundbreaking.pdf

Information and photos of the North Wind’s Weir project are available at http://www.govlink.org/watersheds/9/plan-implementation/SRFB-northwinds.aspx.

Related information

North Wind’s Weir

Salmon and trout topics

Green River Watershed

King County Water and Land Resources