Newaukum Creek
Enumclaw, WA

Newaukum Creek is one of the most productive tributaries to the Green River. It flows 14 miles from its headwaters in the Cascade foothills and confluences with the Green River near Whitney Bridge. Newaukum Creek is fed by eight tributaries on the Enumclaw Plateau, which provide an additional 13.5 miles of stream length.

Newaukum Creek provides vital spawning and rearing habitat for Puget Sound salmonid species. Coho salmon, Rainbow Trout and Cutthroat Trout have been observed in Newaukum Creek, as well as, to a lesser degree, Chinook, Sockeye, and Chum salmon.

Calculations show, that between 1986 and 1997, an average of 15.6 % of the naturally spawning adult Chinook salmon that entered the Green River (excluding Soos Creek because of large Hatchery runs) spawned in the lower section of Newaukum Creek! (from: WRIA 9 Habitat - Limiting Factors and Reconnaissance Report).

However, Newaukum Creek is described as "Not Properly Functioning" based on various factors, such as the lack of Large Woody Debris, below average Pool Quality, bad Channel Condition and insufficient Riparian Buffers.

Mid Sound has been doing stream restoration work on Newaukum Creek for more than 12 years.  Mid Sound has worked with many different landowners on the creek to restore habitat on their properties.

North Fork - Newaukum Creek
Enumclaw, WA


Mid Sound has implemented more than 12 streamside restoration projects on the North Fork of Newaukum Creek, and we have worked with nearly every private landowner along the North Fork. Our North Fork projects exemplify our ability to work one-on-one with separate landowners to connect individual small-scale projects into large-scale restoration of a creek system. 

We have done a variety of habitat restoration and enhancement activities as part of these projects. We have removed and replaced three culverts that were passage barriers to migrating salmon. We constructed a series of log weirs in the upper watershed and added spawning gravel. We have also built fences to keep livestock out of the creek and the riparian area.

Throughout the North Fork system, we have also installed Engineered Large Woody Debris (ELWd). These structures function like natural large woody debris to slow the velocity of the creek in places and to create pools for juvenile salmon refuge.

All of our restoration projects along the North Fork have also included riparian restoration. We have removed invasive Himalayan blackberry and replanted the riparian area with native trees and shrubs. All of these activities were carried out with the help of hundreds of volunteers.

THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY:

Fish America Foundation
NOAA Restoration Center
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
King County

Main Stem - Newaukum Creek  -  Kim Henry
Enumclaw, WA

The first phase of this project took place in the spring of 2004 on a private property near Highway 169. At this site, we removed 13,000 square feet of Himalayan blackberry and planted more than 2,000 trees and shrubs along a 900-foot stretch of Newaukum Creek. We also constructed 900 feet of horse fencing with the help of a Washington Conservation Corps Crew.

More than 65 volunteers helped implement this work, contributing 450+ service hours to the project. Many thanks go to Tetratech Environmental, Anchor Environmental, Ryan Malama, John
Cornelius and local Boy and
Girl Scouts for their hard work!

SPECIAL THANKS go to landowner Kim Henry and her family for all their support, help and hard work.

THIS PROJECT WAS FUNDED BY:

Fish America Foundation
NOAA Restoration Center

Kim Henry was very pleased with this first
project, and a second project phase was
planned.  This second phase included the   re-meandering of a fish-bearing tributary that originates and confluences with Newaukum Creek on the same property. 

Mid-Sound removed one field culvert and replaced a second one with a larger, bottomless one; placed 25 pieces of large woody debris, and, with the help of local volunteers, planted approximately 500 native trees and shrubs. Many thanks go to all our volunteers and helpers!

THIS PROJECT WAS FUNDED BY:

Fish America Foundation

Mahler Park - Newaukum Creek
Enumclaw, WA

Mid Sound is working together with the City of Enumclaw and King County to protect Newaukum Creek salmon. The City recently purchased 58 acres surrounding 4,000 feet of Newaukum Creek to manage as green space. This property is just downstream from Mahler Park, another 30-acre city-owned open space. The city is eager to have organizations such as Mid Sound and King County implement stream restoration projects at the site.

Mid Sound has actually worked at this site for several years prior to the City purchasing it, removing blackberry and planting native vegetation.

In September of 2004 we constructed a 500-foot Side Channel that will provide valuable overwinter habitat for juvenile salmonids. (See pictures in our Picture Gallery)

We removed invasive weeds such as blackberry and reed canary grass, removed existing barb wire fencing and planted thousands of native trees and shrubs.

For 2005, we plan to conduct fish surveys at the side channel as part of our Monitoring Program.

Currently, we discuss future restoration projects at the site. 

This site provides a unique opportunity for large-scale restoration, community stewardship, and education.
Mid Sound has been working with local Boy and Girl Scout troops, Enumclaw High School students, and Green River Community College students to remove invasive weeds, design planting plans, plant native trees and shrubs and conduct water quality testing at this site.

THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY:

King County
NOAA Restoration Center
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife  
 

Visit the Mahler Park Picture Gallery