What's New in the Snoqualmie Watershed
In this edition...
Get Ready for Salmon SEEson!
This summer and fall, salmon all over the Puget Sound will return from the ocean to the rivers and streams where they were born to lay their own eggs. There are three viewing sites in the Snoqualmie Watershed: at the Tolt-MacDonald Park suspension bridge, Tolt River footpath, and Tokul Creek. Migrating salmon are usually visible at these sites from mid-October through December.
Head to the Tolt MacDonald Park suspension bridge on October 18th and November 15th from 10am-2pm to meet up with naturalists who will help you spot fish in the river and provide lots of cool information about salmon spawning season. Or go to any of the three sites anytime during the migration for a self-guided adventure. Check out the Salmon Seeson map for more information on where to go and to plan your viewing adventure!
16th Annual Feast on the Farm – September 6th
Stewardship Partners are thrilled to announce that they are hosting this year's annual Feast on the Farm at Griffin Creek Farm on Saturday, September 6th. The inaugural event was 16 years ago at Griffin Creek Farm in the Snoqualmie Valley with the goal to connect the community to the important work Stewardship Partners does for the environment across the region. Stewardship Partners continues to improve our land and water in partnership with farmers, businesses, and landowners.
Join us in bountiful Carnation, WA with the culinary masterpieces of renowned chef Brock Johnson of TD and Co., accompanied by musicians Tomo Nakayama and Debbie Miller, who will perform together for you. There is a truly magical night in store for you! Limited tickets are available.
Farm Forest and Fish Festival is Here, Sept. 21st - Come and Join the Fun!
The March of the Vegetables is hosting a Farm, Forest, and Fish Festival on Sunday, September 21st from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in Duvall. This will be a lively (and free) afternoon of art, science, storytelling, and music to inspire a sense of wonder and appreciation for the beautiful Snoqualmie Valley ecosystem. Follow the Snoqualmie Valley Trail from the Duvall Park & Ride upstream, to Depot Park. There will be free art and science activities along the trail. Make your way to Depot Park to attend the Duvall Rotary's Peace Picnic, from 3-6 p.m.! Hope to see you there!
Tribal Green Summit (09/16-09/18) Registration is Open - All are Welcome!
We are excited to announce that registration is open for the Tribal Green Summit (September 16–18, 2025), hosted by the Snoqualmie Tribe, in partnership with the Tribal Solid Waste Advisory Network (TSWAN)! Get ready to be part of this powerful gathering dedicated to environmental stewardship, advancing circular economies, and empowering tribal communities. This year’s Summit will feature three key tracks: Composting & Organics; Waste Reduction & Recycling; and Community Resiliency & Pollution Reduction. Check out the amazing line up of presenters!
Register for the Summit. All are welcome!
Lamprey Information Exchange 2025
The Pacific Lamprey Conservation Initiative’s 9th Annual Lamprey Information Exchange will be held December 9th-11th, 2025. The in-person gathering will be in the Portland, Oregon / Vancouver, Washington area. Registration will open in the fall. Virtual attendance also available.
The Pacific Lamprey Conservation Initiative (PLCI) is a collaboration of Native American tribes, federal, state, and local agencies working to conserve Pacific Lamprey through its range in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska. The goal of PLCI is to achieve long-term persistence of Pacific Lamprey and their habitats and support traditional tribal cultural use of Pacific Lamprey through their historic range in the United States.
Snoqualmie River Three Forks to Fall Geomorphic Assessment Results
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| Snoqualmie River |
The King County Flood Control District, together with King County as service provider, led a study to better understand the causes and effects of erosion noticed in the Upper Snoqualmie River, between Snoqualmie Falls and the Three Forks area where the Middle, North, and South Fork Snoqualmie rivers combine.
The study was designed to understand impacts to the Snoqualmie River from changes made to Snoqualmie Falls from 2004 to 2012. Changes to the Falls widened the Snoqualmie River channel and lowered the weir at Snoqualmie Falls, resulting in increased river flow over the Falls. Together, these actions decreased local flooding upstream of the Falls.
Erosion is a natural river process, but it can be impacted by human actions. The study confirmed the Upper Snoqualmie River’s banks and channel have eroded since changes at Snoqualmie Falls. It is unclear how much erosion is due to those changes. Other possible causes of erosion in the Upper Snoqualmie River may include natural changes in the channel and river flow, sediment trapping in the Three Forks area, and adjustments due to changed land use and forestry practices.
The King County Flood Control District, together with King County as service provider, will continue collecting data to monitor erosion and deposition of the Upper Snoqualmie River’s channel. King County will also continue to inspect the conditions of river protection structures on a regular basis. Contact Andy Gendaszek at 206-477-8296 or agendaszek@kingcounty.gov, for more information. Access the report or learn more at the Snoqualmie-Skykomish River Watershed webpage (under projects and studies)!
Snoqualmie River Survey Resumes to Guide Salmon Habitat Restoration
Snoqualmie Watershed Forum, King County, and Snoqualmie Indian Tribe staff were back on the Snoqualmie River this summer, surveying all 35 miles of the lower mainstem Snoqualmie from just south of Snoqualmie Falls to the confluence with the Skykomish River for the first time since 2017. This work helps us track changes over time and guide restoration efforts where they’re needed most. From riverbanks to riffles, we’re gathering the data to quantify the current habitat conditions and identify opportunities for projects to help our basin’s salmon. Curious what we found last time? Check out the 2018 report on habitat conditions in the Lower Snoqualmie, Tolt, and Raging Rivers. We’ll be back out next summer to survey the Tolt and Raging Rivers to complete our assessment.
King County Begins Fish-Friendly Culvert Replacement on NE 24th Street to Improve Flood Control and Habitat
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| Project is located on NE 24th Street southeast of Carnation, WA. |
King County Road Services began work in July 2025 to replace a culvert beneath NE 24th Street near Carnation. The new fish-friendly concrete box culvert will reduce flooding and boost habitat health by replacing a narrow, aging pipe in Langlois Creek. Box culverts are designed to mimic a natural stream, promoting gentle water flow under the road. They also support fish passage, improve road strength, and create healthier conditions for plants and wildlife. This project is slated for completion in early fall. Our team is grateful to the community for their patience and support. Learn more about the project.
North Bend Considers Storm Drainage Rate Increase for Flood and Water Quality Projects
City of North Bend is currently evaluating their storm drainage rates structure. The storm drainage rates have not been increased in many years, so the City is considering an increase to allow for new capital projects and also allow operations and maintenance to occur on recently constructed drainage facilities. The additional funding for capital drainage projects will allow more to be designed and constructed. Specifically, this includes the upsizing of neighborhood culverts, the South Fork Levee Setback project, a downtown regional water quality treatment facility, among many others. These projects address water quality treatment and flood risk reduction. For more information please reach out to Public Works Director, Mark Rigos (mrigos@northbendwa.gov).
Construction Begins week of August 25th, 2025, in Three Forks County Park, North Bend
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| The project is located within Three Forks Park near Snoqualmie and North Bend. |
There’s construction happening this summer on the south bank of the North Fork Snoqualmie River. The Scott Revetment, downstream of the 428th Ave SE bridge, is being removed. Revetments are built along a riverbank to reduce erosion and limit the natural movement of the river channel. The area behind the Scott Revetment is now a natural area owned by King County Parks. The revetment is not needed because it no longer protects farmland, structures, roads, or other infrastructure, yet public funds are still being spent to inspect and maintain it. King County, as the service provider to the King County Flood Control District, will remove the revetment this summer.
Construction will occur between August 25 – September 19, 2025, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Construction will comply with noise guidelines for unincorporated King County. There may be traffic flaggers on 428th Ave SE. Access in the project area will be closed during construction. In-water users can pass on the north side of the river.
If you would like to learn more about this project, please visit the North Fork Snoqualmie River Confluence Revetment Removal Project webpage and sign up for email or text announcements. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Iris Lippert, Project Manager, at 206-477-9119.
King County Flood Control District Blog
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This year marks a 25-year milestone of coordinated watershed-based salmon recovery partnerships for Water Resource Inventory Areas (WRIAs). The King County Flood Control District is proud to join in the celebration! To mark this important anniversary, the Flood Control District launched a four-part blog series spotlighting successes in each of the WRIAs it supports—starting with the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum in WRIA 7. Read more at the Flood Control District’s website.
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King County Flood Control District Vice Chair Sarah Perry and Executive Director Michelle Clark at WRIA 7 tour on July 16, 2025. Credit: Libby Hollingshead. |
Surface Water Management Fee Discount for Low Income Property Owners - Apply by Sept 15, 2025
If you qualify as a low-income household and live on your own property in unincorporated King County, you may be eligible for a 50 percent discount on the annual surface water management fee on your land parcel(s).
Residents already approved for the King County Senior Citizen and People with Disabilities Reduction in Property Taxes are eligible for this discount and do not need to apply.
The open period to apply is every year from August 1 through September 15. Learn more about fee discount programs from the website, call 206-477-4800, or send an email to wlrdswm@kingcounty.gov. Information about the discount is available online in English, Español /Spanish, 한국어 /Korean, Af-Soomaali /Somali, русский /Russian, 中文 /Chinese, Tiếng Việt /Vietnamese.
Bringing Salmon into the Classroom
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| Salmon tank in the Snoqualmie Elementary School Library 2024-2025. |
Sound Salmon Solutions (SSS) is one of 14 Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups in Washington State. The SSS region includes the Snoqualmie, Stillaguamish, Snohomish, and Skykomish River watersheds, plus South Whidbey Island. SSS leads programs focused on Pacific salmon recovery through habitat restoration, a coho salmon hatchery, and community education.
One key program, Salmon in the Schools (SiS), teaches students why salmon matter and how to help them thrive. SSS provides each participating school with a 55-gallon tank and 100–150 wild coho eggs to raise from winter to spring. Students learn through three hands-on lessons and release their fish during a spring field trip.
SSS covers all costs, including transportation, for 26 elementary fourth-grade classes. Eight of these schools are in the Riverview and Snoqualmie Valley districts, including Cherry Valley, Carnation, Fall City, North Bend, Snoqualmie, Stillwater, Mount Si High School, and Skykomish K–12. Lessons focus on healthy habitats and watershed stewardship, helping students build early connections to the environment.
Last year, nearly all schools reported above-average fish survival rates. However, this year the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) cut SiS funding for Title 1 schools. SSS is actively seeking alternative funding to keep these programs going. Fortunately, King County Flood Control District supports SiS in Snoqualmie Valley and Riverview schools through the Cooperative Watershed Management grant. Learn more at Sound Salmon Solutions website.
New Resident Representative Member of Snoqualmie Watershed Forum
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| Troy Rahmig, newest resident representative member of Snoqualmie Watershed Forum |
Troy Rahmig, resident of Fall City, was appointed to the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum (Forum) for a four-year term by the Snoqualmie Valley Governments Association. He was selected from a pool of 16 highly rated residents of the Snoqualmie watershed in King County District 3, and his position as Resident Representative began in early July. Troy works as a conservation biologist/ecologist and has 22 years of experience, primarily in endangered species permitting and creating conservation and mitigation plans in the western US and Hawaii. Troy is working to restore riparian habitat on his own property near the Raging River and is an avid user of and advocate for the trails and waterways of the County. He also has board experience, including with the Issaquah Planning and Policy Commission and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust’s Technical Advisory Council since 2016. The Forum is looking forward to hearing Troy’s perspective during upcoming decisions on salmon recovery and watershed health. The Forum will have another resident position opening this fall, with the appointment made by the King County Executive.
Snoqualmie Watershed Forum Meetings: Informative and Open to All
The Snoqualmie Watershed Forum is comprised of 14 members and meets 6 times per year to make decisions about projects and activities that improve the health of the Snoqualmie River and the South Fork Skykomish River in King County. The meetings are open to the public. Upcoming meeting topics include legislative priorities for 2026, large wood management in the Snoqualmie River, contaminants and salmon in the Snohomish Basin, and the latest on how many adult salmon returned to spawn and how many baby salmon were counted on their way to Puget Sound. Contact Renee Leichliter to be added to the email list to receive meeting agendas or check out the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum website for meeting schedules, agendas, and past meeting summaries and presentations.
Celebrate Funding for Salmon! And Upcoming Funding Opportunities
Flood Control District Approves Snoqualmie Watershed Forum Project Recommendations
On July 8, 2025, the King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors cast a unanimous vote to approve the Cooperative Watershed Management projects for 2025, including 17 recommended projects from the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum, totaling over $2.5 million. They expressed their strong support and gratitude for the exceptional efforts that make these initiatives a reality. Please see the Forum’s website (pdf) for details about the projects.
Funding For Riparian Program Arrives to the Watershed!
King Conservation District (KCD) and partners applied to Ecology’s Puget Sound Riparian Systems Lead Grants in January 2025. In March of 2025, KCD received notification of the $2.7M award. Over the next four years, KCD will use this funding to develop several programs and projects, including at its center, a Riparian Hub and an associated Maintenance Program for previously funded salmon-focused riparian projects. For more information, please contact Matt Mega with King Conservation District.
Floodplains by Design (FbD) funds Snoqualmie River Collaborative Floodplain Restoration
King County’s Snoqualmie River Collaborative Floodplain Restoration project, submitted to Floodplains by Design 2025-2027 and ranked at #10 out of 18 projects, was approved for funding by the Washington state legislature in the last session. The proposal secured partial funding of $5.8 million as part of the historic $75.7 million FbD allocation to the Department of Ecology, reinforcing strong bipartisan support for critical restoration efforts. The funding will go toward the Lower Frew Levee Setback project in Carnation, Tolt Lower Left bank Levee Setback Feasibility/Alternatives Analysis, the Riparian Restoration program led by King Conservation District, riparian restoration internships through the Latino Educational Training Institute, Tuck Creek Basin Drainage and Fish Passage Improvements, and a Basin-wide Water Storage Study. For more information, reach out to Andrea Mojzak, King County Basin Steward.
Job and Training Opportunities
Restoration for All – Bilingual Program Now Recruiting Students
The Latino Educational Training Institute (LETI) is currently recruiting students to enroll in Restoration for All, a bilingual program designed to employ Indigenous and Western science in the training of a Spanish-speaking workforce in salmon habitat restoration. This program is part of NOAA Restoration Center’s Grant Program for Underserved Communities. Edmonds College, LETI, and the Snohomish Conservation District intend to use this grant opportunity to educate and prepare communities of color for careers in environmental restoration. The NOAA grant covers the tuition, fees, and a paid internship for Spanish speakers. Students are invited to apply for the fall quarter. Reach out to Samantha for more information and to apply.
Restauración para Todos – El Programa Bilingue esta Reclutando Estudiantes Ahora
El Latino Educational Training Institute (LETI) (Instituto de entrenamiento educativo latino) está actualmente reclutando estudiantes para inscribirse en “Restauración para Todos”, un programa bilingüe diseñado para emplear la ciencia indígena y occidental en la formación de mano de obra de habla hispana en la restauración del hábitat del salmón. Este programa forma parte del Programa de Subvenciones para Comunidades Subatendidas del Centro de Restauración de la NOAA. Edmonds College, LETI, y el Distrito de Conservación de Snohomish tienen la intención de utilizar esta oportunidad de subvención para educar y preparar a las comunidades de color para las carreras en la restauración del medio ambiente. La subvención de la NOAA cubre la matrícula, las tasas y unas pasantías para hispanohablantes. Se invita a los estudiantes a presentar su solicitud para el trimestre del otoño. Póngase en contacto con samantha@letiwa.org para obtener más información y aplicar.
Sound Salmon Solutions: Salmon Habitat/Fish Passage Project Manager
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife: Fish Hatchery Technician (Non-Permanent)
Puget Sound Partnership: Executive Director
Oxbow Farm & Conservation Center: Executive Director
King Conservation District: Education Project Coordinator
Salmon and Orca in the News
Abundance of pink salmon may be harming orcas – Salish Sea Currents Magazine
Declining Puget Sound kelp threatens salmon, orcas – KING5 News
King County to Remove 65-Year-Old River Structure in Three Forks Park – Living Snoqualmie
Wildfire In Wet Washington State Is Changing Under Climate Change – The New York Times
Annual orca count grows by one, as the Puget Sound whales stay on the hunt for food – Puget Sound Institute
And, as always, remember that the beautiful "From Mt. Si to Wild Sky" watershed posters – featuring the photography of talented Valley residents – are available FREE from Renee Leichliter or by calling 206-848-0836.
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