Neighbors had been cautious about the habitat restoration work that was to be done at the site of a former state hatchery at Barnaby Slough: the excavation, the removal of structures and pipes, the decommissioning of utilities and wells.
But during a January site visit, the 40 or so present were brought to applause by the news that spawning coho salmon have returned to the backwater that was formerly cut off from the Skagit River mainstem by the hatchery’s dikes.
The public got its first look that day at the completed phase one of the Barnaby Reach restoration project, which is managed by the Skagit River System Cooperative (SRSC) and funded by the state Salmon Recovery Funding Board, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, and Seattle City Light.
Project partners also include Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and The Nature Conservancy.
SRSC is the natural resources extension of the Swinomish and Sauk-Suiattle tribes. From July to December 2021, SRSC oversaw the removal of the former state hatchery’s water-control structures, buildings, abandoned wells, road fill, three dikes and an enclosed rearing pond.
The intent of the project was to restore fish access to floodplain habitat, considered to be one of the biggest needs for salmon recovery in the Skagit River watershed.
The project appears to be off to early success. In addition to the returning salmon, hundreds of recently planted seedlings are taking root and will someday shade the nearshore. Water from the Skagit River mainstem backs into Barnaby Slough and then flows downstream to other sloughs in the watershed.
Trumpeter swans drifted in Barnaby Slough and a bald eagle perched on a snag above a large beaver lodge. Snow-capped peaks were mirrored in the glassy water. There were no structures or dikes to interrupt the flow or view of any of it.
All told, 26 acres of fish habitat have been restored. There are plans to plant thousands more cedars, firs and other native plants over 40-60 acres, said Brenda Clifton, SRSC restoration botanist.
Cynthia Carlstad of Northwest Hydraulic Consultants, who worked with neighbors during the planning process, thanked residents for caring enough about Barnaby Slough to be involved and contribute to the process. “We appreciate the engagement and support,” she said. “We know you all care about what happens here.”
“We are very pleased with the result of the phase one construction project, which has opened up Barnaby Slough for fish passage, and we have observed adult salmon in Barnaby Slough after project construction,” said Devin Smith, SRSC habitat restoration director and project manager. “But more importantly, we have embarked on a detailed monitoring program that will include scientific studies of the fish benefits of the project as well as potential changes in flow conditions within the Skagit River and floodplain. This was ongoing before the recent construction project and will take a few more years but will produce a lot of valuable information.”
Smith said restoration work could take place in the future elsewhere on Barnaby Reach, which extends from the mouth of Illabot Creek downstream to the Sauk River near the town of Rockport. Planning and design work on phase two is funded.
“The phase two project would remove infrastructure in the Harrison Pond complex and divert a portion of Illabot Creek through the Harrison complex to increase off-channel habitat within the Skagit River floodplain to benefit chinook salmon and other species,” Smith said. “It is on hold because it will require a lot of discussion and communication with stakeholders, which has been difficult during COVID. We’re hopeful that we can pick that work up again perhaps in the spring or summer.”
Also slowed by the pandemic: Working with the Martin Road community to determine if there is support for culvert and road improvements to aid with access during floods and provide fish passage to Martin Slough. “I would anticipate construction would be more likely for 2023 and will only occur if community members support the proposed actions,” Smith said.
Above: Visitors walk across a new bridge Barnaby Slough, site of a former state fish hatchery. The former hatchery was removed as part of a habitat restoration project on Barnaby Reach. Photos and story: Richard Walker.
