Fir Island
Natural history
A major component of the Skagit River Delta, the island is an important habitat for wildlife. Migrating from the northern portion of Wrangel Island in Russia, 30,000 to 70,000 snow geese spend the winter on the Skagit River Delta and the Fraser River Delta of British Columbia. Important internationally, this population and one that winters in California, are the only snow geese that migrate between Eurasia and North America and the only remnant still extant in Eurasia.
Other migratory waterfowl include tundra swans, trumpeter swans and the bald eagle. Over the course of a year, 180 species of birds have been recorded at Skagit Wildlife Area, 13,000 acres (53 km) of mostly tidelands and intertidal marsh, the largest section of which is located on the southern margin of the island.
Near the south end of Fir Island, the Wiley Slough Restoration Project is intended to restore natural processes to a 180 acres (0.73 km) portion of Skagit Wildlife Area. The project includes removal of 6,500 feet (2,000 m) of existing dikes, construction of 6,500 feet (2,000 m) of new dikes, and construction of a new tide gate on Wiley Slough upstream of the existing one which will be removed. The main goal of the project is to increase the diversity of species that depend on estuaries, especially Puget Sound Chinook Salmon that are listed as threatened under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act. Despite opposition by hunters, the project is supported by many in the community and Governor Christine Gregoire.
Skagit River floods
Fir Island is periodically flooded by the Skagit River.
On February 27, 1932 Fir Island flooded after a dike broke between Fir and Skagit City. A number of buildings were carried away by the river, and area farmers lost between 150 and 200 chickens, 4 head of cattle, and 8 or 10 sheep.
On November 25, 1990, the 152,000 cubic feet (4,300 m) per second flow of the Skagit River caused it to overtop its 10 feet (3.0 m) earthen dikes and the island was inundated. No human fatalities occurred but livestock deaths were reported. Dike repairs the following summer cost $7 million.
On October 21, 2003, a peak flow of 135,000 cubic feet (3,800 m) per second occurred when the Skagit River crested at more than 14 feet (4 m) above flood stage. A total of 3,400 people were evacuated from flood prone areas along the river. On November 8, 2006, in the aftermath of a strong Pineapple Express storm, a flow of 125,000 cubic feet (3,500 m) per second and a crest 8.2 feet (2.5 m) feet above flood stage were recorded. Such floods deposit great quantities of driftwood along river channels and on tidelands.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
References
- ^ McQuaide, Mike (March 11, 2004). "Skagit River delta is a world of wonders for kayakers". The Seattle Times Company. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ Boyd, Sean. "Lesser Snow Geese: an indicator of wildlife sustainability in the Georgia Basin". Environment Canada. Retrieved 2008-02-12.
- ^ Kuznetsov, Sergei B; Baranyuk, Vasily V; Takekawa, John Y (Oct 1998). "Genetic differentiation between wintering populations of Lesser Snow Geese nesting on Wrangel Island". The Auk. 115 (4). American Ornithologists' Union: 1053–1057. doi:10.2307/4089522. JSTOR 4089522. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
- ^ Garrett, John (2005). "Wildlife Viewing Areas: North Central Washington (Region 4): Skagit Wildlife Area". Wildlife Areas and Access Points. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Archived from the original on 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ "Biological Assessment". Wiley Slough Restoration Project. Skagit River System Cooperative. 2006-11-30. Archived from the original on 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ "Wiley Slough Recreational Replacement Lands" (PDF). Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Retrieved 2016-02-23.
- ^ "Raging Skagit Breaks Through Dikes" (PDF). The Mount Vernon Argus. March 3, 1932. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
- ^ Egan, Timothy (November 18, 1991). "Fir Island Journal; A Peace With the River on Its Terms". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ "USGS 12200500 Skagit River Near Mount Vernon, WA". National Water Information System. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2008-02-10.