What's New in the Snoqualmie Watershed
In this edition...
Anouncements and What's Happening
Events
Funding Opportunties
Salmon in the News
Announcements and What's Happening
Lower Miller River Project: Online Open House Now Live
King County has launched an online engagement hub for the Lower Miller River Floodplain Restoration Project so you can explore project details, ask questions, and share feedback. The project will be built in the South Fork Skykomish watershed, and the virtual open house runs through September 25. An in-person community meeting is also planned, with the date to be announced.
Snoqualmie Tribe Environmental & Natural Resources Update
Learn about environmental stewardship, local restoration, and upcoming Tribal programs and events.
New Documentary: The River Within Our Veins
A new short film, The River Within Our Veins, highlights how Tribal nations, agencies, and community partners are working together to restore Puget Sound and protect salmon. The film follows collective efforts to improve estuary health and support salmon, an iconic species that needs our continued care. Despite their resilience, salmon need the continued support of the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum and partners to ensure that they remain an iconic species in the Salish Sea for generations to come.
Watch the documentary and see how this teamwork helps salmon and their ecosystems “breathe again.”
Help Shape the Future of Our Region’s Parks and Open Spaces
Trails, parks, forests, farms and other open spaces help make the Puget Sound region a wonderful place to live, work and explore. To support these important places, the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is updating the Regional Open Space Conservation Plan.
Take our community survey and tell us how you access parks and open spaces, what you value most, and what improvements would make these places more accessible.
Join the I ❤️ Open Spaces Photo Challenge and share your favorite outdoor photo for a chance to win a Washington State Discover Pass and have your image featured in the new Regional Open Space Conservation Plan.
Visit PSRC.org for more information or join our mailing list.
Questions? Contact Erika Harris at eharris@psrc.org.
Critical Repairs Begin After Middle Fork Snoqualmie River Flooding
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Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, near damage site, looking downstream toward the Blue Hole.
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The King County Flood Control District and King County have planned repairs to flood risk reduction structures that were damaged in December 2025. Local repairs are being led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River near the Blue Hole.
To reduce flood risks for nearby communities and businesses, the repairs are scheduled for completion prior to the next flood season, which begins October 2026.
During construction, the repairs may disrupt access to the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River between SE 114th Street and the Blue Hole. In-water users will be able to pass on the right.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Chrys Bertolotto, King County Project Manager at 206-263-2677 or cbertolotto@kingcounty.gov.
Salmon Habitat Surveys on the Tolt and Raging Rivers
King County’s Science and Technical Support Section, in partnership with staff from the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe, surveyed more than 25 miles of the Tolt and Raging rivers to assess salmon habitat conditions. These surveys build on similar work completed in 2025 along the lower mainstem Snoqualmie River. By comparing the 2025–2026 surveys with results from 2017, the assessment will track the status and trends of habitat conditions, identify areas of improvement or degradation, and guide future restoration strategies. Findings from this work will be shared in early 2027. For background, check out the 2018 report on habitat conditions in the lower Snoqualmie, Tolt, and Raging rivers (pdf).
Habitat Restoration Progress in Cherry, Carpenter, and Woods Creeks
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is analyzing habitat data from the Upper Cherry Creek project, with results expected by the end of 2026. The team recently built nine low-tech process-based restoration structures in Carpenter Creek. These structures are designed for smaller, wadeable streams and can be built by hand with simple materials such as posts and other small woody materials. This photo shows DNR and their partner the Snohomish Conservation District at work building the structures, which help to slow and hold back water, while also introducing more woody material into the stream to build habitat complexity and support the aquatic food web. These are very similar to what we plan to build on the DNR lands in upper Cherry Creek in the hopefully not-too-distant future!
DNR would like to acknowledge that the Carpenter Creek project is funded in whole or in part by the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office's Salmon Recovery Funding Board, in partnership with the Snohomish Basin Salmon Recovery Forum.
Septic System Maintenance Rebate for Homeowners
Maintaining a septic system regularly can help homeowners catch issues earlier and save money. This rebate program offers up to $500 to pay for septic system inspection, pumping, or riser installation. Septic property owners can plan for routine maintenance activities with the rebate program. A rebate is offered once per property starting April 13th, 2026 until July 2027, or until the funding is exhausted.
King County’s Surface Water Management Fee Discount for Low-Income Property Owners - Apply by Sept 15, 2026.
If you have friends, family or neighbors in unincorporated King County that may be eligible for a fee discount, please share!
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). The open period to apply is every year from August 1 through September 15. Learn more about the fee discount at kingcounty.gov/swmfeediscount. Assistance with applying is available from Business & Finance staff by calling 206-477-4800, or send an email to wlrdswm@kingcounty.gov.
Information about the discount is available in English, Español /Spanish, 한국어 /Korean, Af-Soomaali /Somali, русский /Russian, 中文 /Chinese, Tiếng Việt /Vietnamese.
Youth Engaged in Sustainable Systems (YESS)
This summer, 16 high school students from six school districts, including Riverview, turned learning into action during the Youth Engaged in Sustainable Systems (YESS) internship. Through a partnership among Riverview School District, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, WANIC Skills Center, and Pacific Education Institute, students earned a $1,800 stipend and graduation credit while gaining hands-on restoration ecology skills. Working alongside Tribal, agency, and nonprofit professionals, they restored riparian and forest habitats and maintained trails throughout the Snoqualmie Valley and Issaquah—building pathways to green careers while contributing to meaningful conservation efforts. Thank you to the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum for supporting YESS!
Events
Get Involved with the Green Snoqualmie Partnership
Help care for the forests, parks, and wetlands that make Snoqualmie special by joining the Green Snoqualmie Partnership for fun, hands on volunteer events happening all year long. Whether you're a long-time local, a student looking for service hours, a family wanting a fun outdoor activity, or a business looking for a team-building day with purpose, there's a spot for you. We encourage you to bring a friend!
No experience is needed—just bring energy, water, and weather ready clothes.
Volunteers help remove invasive plants, plant natives, and keep local natural areas thriving at sites across Snoqualmie.
Find upcoming events on Facebook or Instagram and register to join.
The Partnership is also training new Forest Stewards to lead small restoration projects—email jbattles@snoqualmiewa.gov or amclean@snoqualmiewa.gov if you’re interested!
Salmon SEEson is Here!
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 17th and November 7th 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 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!
Learn even more about Salmon SEEson in the recent King County Field Notes.
17th Annual Feast on the Farm: Support Local Agriculture & Stewardship
Feast on the Farm supports Stewardship Partners in part by funding its mission of working with landowners to promote sustainable practices. Long-time hosts, Griffin Creek Farm, are a living example of farmers embracing environmental stewardship.
This year, the culinary masterpieces of renowned chef Logan Cox of Homer will be featured. Come to the farm and experience firsthand the hope that these practices bring for the health of our environment. With a live auction and raise the paddle, Feast on the Farm is an opportunity to contribute in an impactful way towards a brighter future.
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Griffin Creek Farm - Carnation, WA
Limited tickets available
We’re still looking for event sponsors to help promote awareness of local farms that provide healthy food and actively participate in environmental stewardship! Proceeds will help fund Stewardship Partners’ programs! Choose from four sponsorship levels:
- ACRE = $10,000
- FIELD = $5,000
- GARDEN PLOT = $2,500
- SEEDLING = $1,000
If interested in sponsorship, please contact Soumi Gaddameedi at sg@stewardshippartners.org.
Planting Events with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust
Join the Greenway this fall to help plant native trees and shrubs at exciting volunteer opportunities in Fall City! Learn about planting in riparian corridors and support healthy ecosystems. All ages are welcome and no experience is necessary (registration is required for each event). We will provide all tools and instructions.
Stay tuned for more planting events to come in North Bend and Snoqualmie this November!.
Upcoming Events from Sound Salmon Solutions
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Turn Your Passion into Action with CATS
Do you care about your local watershed? Turn your passion into action through Sound Salmon Solutions’ Community Action Training School (CATS)! Offered FREE to WRIA 7 residents, CATS helps adults learn about watershed challenges, salmon recovery, habitat restoration, policy, and community stewardship. Through virtual classes and in-person field experiences, participants gain practical tools and support to create projects in their communities. No environmental expertise is required—just curiosity and a desire to make a difference. The 2026 program runs October 6–January 23. Registration is now open! Thanks to the King County Flood Control District for supporting this year's CATS program.
Learn more and register here.
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Orca Recovery Day Planting Party
When: October 17th, 10am - 2pm
Where: Chinook Bend Natural Area, Carnation WA
What: Help kick off the volunteer season and join us for this year’s Orca Recovery Day to improve salmon habitat along the Snoqualmie River! Our southern resident orcas depend on Chinook salmon, and 20% of the Chinook that return to the Snoqualmie to spawn do so here, at Chinook Bend Natural Area. We will be planting native trees and shrubs in cooperation with King County Parks to provide the long-term shade and bank stability that help juvenile salmon thrive!
Learn more and register here.
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Reciprocity Day Habitat Restoration Volunteer Event
When: November 27th, 10am - 2pm
Where: Chinook Bend Natural Area, Carnation WA
What: Give back to our salmon this year by helping to restore critical rearing habitat along the Snoqualmie River! We will be returning to Chinook Bend Natural Area to continue our efforts in this important Chinook spawning area. Activities may include hand removal of invasive weeds or planting of native trees and shrubs.
Learn more and register here.
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Salmon SEEson Naturalist Table
When: October 17th and November 7th, 10am -2pm
Where: Tolt MacDonald Suspension Bridge, Carnation, WA
What: Sound Salmon Solutions will be hosting a Salmon SEEson naturalist event to provide information about the returning salmon. Join us to learn more about salmon and why their lifecycle makes them so important! No registration required.
Funding Opportunities
Water Quality Combined Funding Program Now Accepting Applications
Applications for the State Fiscal Year 2028 Water Quality Combined Funding Program are being accepted now through Sept. 30, 2026, at 5 p.m. Funding guidelines are now available.
Puget Sound Stewardship and Mitigation Fund
The Puget Sound Stewardship and Mitigation Fund is enabled by court-ordered environmental mitigation payments related to Clean Water Act settlements by Puget Soundkeeper Alliance (Soundkeeper), Waste Action Project and other citizen enforcement groups. The Fund’s goal is to improve the surface water quality of Puget Sound and mitigate past pollution runoff by supporting water projects related to conservation, restoration, community science, and environmental justice. The Fund has two grant cycles per year, and the specific parts of the Sound where we may have funds for projects can vary from cycle to cycle depending on the requirements of individual settlements.
Apply here. Applications due Friday September 29 at 5 pm PST.
Flood Control District Approves Snoqualmie Watershed Forum Project Recommendations
In July, the King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors approved funding for 16 projects recommended by the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum in the King County portion of the Snohomish Basin through the Cooperative Watershed Management Grant Program.
Special thanks to project sponsors in the Snoqualmie and South Fork Skykomish basins for submitting a suite of impactful projects. Learn more about the Cooperative Watershed Management Grant Program and about the projects for 2026 (pdf). The next Cooperative Watershed Management grant opening is expected November 2026.
Salmon and Orca in the News
Annual census could show an increase of two killer whales among southern residents | Salish Sea Currents magazine
Southern resident orcas welcome new calf to L pod | KIRO News
Sound Transit probes fish deaths near I-90 floating bridge rail line as fixes begin | KOMO News
BC researchers discover deadly bacterial disease in wild chinook | Vancouver Sun / MSN
Approaching the Funding Cliff: What Happens When BIL Expires? | Making Waves - Puget Sound Partnership
Snohomish County’s largest culvert project is all about the fish | Everett Daily Herald / MSN
In 2021, Washington's Skagit River System Cooperative installed an 80-foot bridge over the Lucas channel. 5 years later, the project has helped reconnect fish habitat across the floodplain | Economic Times
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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