Snoqualmie River at Chinook Bend Natural Area open to public as habitat project moves forward

River open to swimmers, rafters, other recreational users; natural area still closed

A nearly half-mile-long stretch of the Snoqualmie River at King County’s Chinook Bend Natural Area is once again open to recreational users after a nearly three-week closure for a habitat-improvement construction project.

While the 59-acre natural area remains closed to the public because of ongoing construction work, the in-river portion of King County’s habitat restoration project – which include removing a portion of an old, degraded levee – has been completed.

The in-water work had to be completed during the summertime low-flow season on the Snoqualmie River before the fall rains come and adult salmon return to spawn.

Located roughly two miles north of Carnation, Chinook Bend is bordered on three sides by the Snoqualmie River, which features the largest population of federally protected chinook salmon in King County.

Removing the old levee will allow the Snoqualmie River to spread across portions of the Chinook Bend Natural Area during moderate and high flows, creating unique habitat conditions for numerous fish and wildlife species, including chinook salmon and steelhead trout, which also have protection under the federal Endangered Species Act.

The existing level of flood protection for nearby roads and surrounding farmlands will be maintained, while public access and amenities at Chinook Bend will be improved as a result of the project.

Project work scheduled for next year includes removing the downstream flood-control structure, known as a revetment, installing road protection for the Carnation Farm Road and adding new public amenities at Chinook Bend, including a new trail that is accessible to people with disabilities, interpretive signage, a viewing platform, public parking lot and restroom.

The Chinook Bend Natural Area was donated to King County by Nestle USA Corp. in 2000. The floodplain has been undergoing reforestation for the past nine years. Approximately 10,000 red alder, cottonwood, Sitka spruce and Douglas fir trees have been planted within the project area to restore the floodplain to a forested condition.

Additional species of trees have been planted in other portions of the property, while invasive vegetation, such as Japanese knotweed and reed canary grass, is being removed.

Work to enhance Chinook Bend wetlands includes discharging reclaimed water from the Carnation wastewater treatment plant into the natural area’s wetland in the western portion of the site.

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. Amenities are funded by a grant from the state Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account program.

For more information, contact Mary Maier, King County, Snoqualmie Basin steward, at 206-296-1914 or mary.maier@kingcounty.gov, or visit the Chinook Bend Web site at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/natural-lands/ecological/chinook-bend.aspx.

Related information

Chinook Bend Natural Area

Snoqualmie-Skykomish Watershed

Salmon and Trout Topics

King County Parks - Your Big Backyard

King County Water and Land Resources

King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks