Salmon Populations
Squalicum Creek is a tributary to Bellingham Bay and supports four reproducing populations of salmonids:
- Chum salmon
- Coho salmon
- Cutthroat trout
- Steelhead trout
Reason for Restoration
As a result of historic shoreline development, the mouth of Squalicum Creek has been relocated and confined between two concrete box culvert bridges in a heavily armored channel with a concrete bottom that creates jump, depth, and velocity barriers to fish passage. Restoring the mouth of Squalicum Creek and its associated estuary habitats was identified as a priority restoration project through the landscape-level planning efforts of the
Bellingham Bay Demonstration Pilot Project.
Restoration Efforts
Phase 1: From 2007-09, the
Department of Natural Resources (DNR) removed a 15,500-square-foot derelict pier and 680 creosote piles from areas adjacent to the existing delta.
Phase 2: In 2013, derelict bulkheads, piles and other miscellaneous debris were removed from the Squalcium Creek estuary, and 2.5 acres of intertidal habitat was created to a create feeding and refuge areas for juvenile salmon. A riparian buffer and estuarine marsh vegetation was restored, and salvaged driftwood was placed along the shoreline.
Phase 3: The Port is completing the design of future improvements to the Squalicum Creek estuary. Phase 3 of this project will:
- Remove the 350-foot concrete lined channel bottom between Roeder Avenue and the BNSF rail spur and re-establish a natural stream bed.
- Remove the jump, depth, and velocity barriers to fish passage between the estuary and the Squalicum Creek watershed.
- Replace and/or modify the two existing concrete box culvert bridges