Major Duwamish River habitat restoration project will benefit fish, wildlife at North Wind’s Weir

Good habitat for fish and wildlife is scarce along the Duwamish River, as it snakes through Tukwila and south Seattle’s industrial core on its way to Elliott Bay.

That’s why a cooperative habitat restoration project involving local, state and federal agencies on 2 ½ acres in Tukwila has garnered so much interest – and cooperation.

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 in 2010, 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.

The partnership, led by King County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, has already passed numerous milestones since acquiring the land in 2001, including obtaining funding for construction and removing contaminated dirt from the site.

Now the partnership is beginning the final construction effort to construct 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.

The partnership relies on shared leadership. King County led the effort to purchase the property, design the restored project, and clean up the contaminated soil. The Army Corps of Engineers will take the lead on the final construction phase as part of its comprehensive Green/Duwamish Ecosystem Restoration Project.

“The North Wind’s Weir project is a rare opportunity to create high-quality habitat for fish and wildlife on some of the last remaining undeveloped properties along the Duwamish River,” said King County Executive Kurt Triplett. “King County is proud to be a member of this strong and committed partnership group.”

“As part of the Green/Duwamish River Ecosystem Restoration Project, the North Wind’s Weir site is one of 45 separate projects that emphasize the restoration of critical habitat within the basin,” said Col. Anthony O. Wright, Seattle District commander. “We look forward to seeing the environmental benefits that this project will bring to the community.”

The project has long been supported by agencies and citizen groups working to restore the Duwamish. In 2005, the Water Resource Inventory Area 9 Salmon Habitat Plan recommended constructing the project as an essential step in recovering salmon in the Green/Duwamish watershed.

Project funding is from multiple sources, including:

• Army Corps of Engineers
• Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board
• Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account
• Elliott Bay/Duwamish Restoration Program
• King County
• King Conservation District
• The City of Seattle
• The City of Tukwila

The project complements planned future restoration of the lower Duwamish River, which will occur as contaminated sediments downstream are cleaned up through the federal Superfund process now under way.

Information about the North Wind’s Weir project is 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