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Fir Island (Washington)
Encyclopedia
Fir Island is bounded by North and South Forks of the Skagit River
and Skagit Bay
of Puget Sound
in the southwestern corner of Skagit County, Washington. Triangular in outline, 5.3 miles (8.5 km) east–west by 6.5 miles (10.5 km) north–south with an area of nearly 9900 acres (40.1 km²), Fir Island is occupied by 195 families. The island is connected by bridge to the village of Conway
, located on the east shore of the South Fork of the Skagit River. A second bridge, across the North Fork of the Skagit River, leads to La Conner
, 3.7 miles (6 km) northwest. Near the northeast tip of Fir Island is the site of the 19th century town of Skagit City
which declined after upstream log jams were removed in 1877.
, 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 Swan
s and the Bald Eagle
. Over the course of a year, 180 species of birds have been recorded at Skagit Wildlife Area, 13000 acres (52.6 km²) of mostly tideland
s 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 acre (0.7284348 km²) portion of Skagit Wildlife Area. The project includes removal of 6500 feet (1,981.2 m) of existing dikes, construction of 6500 feet (1,981.2 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
.
Island floods occur periodically. On November 25, 1990, the 152000 cubic feet (4,304.2 m³) per second flow of the Skagit River caused it to overtop its 10 feet (3 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 135000 cubic feet (3,822.8 m³) 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 125000 cubic feet (3,539.6 m³) 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.
Skagit River
The Skagit River is a river in southwestern British Columbia in Canada and northwestern Washington in the United States, approximately 150 mi long...
and Skagit Bay
Skagit Bay
Skagit Bay is a bay and strait located in the U.S. state of Washington. It is part of the Whidbey Island Basin of Puget Sound. The Skagit River empties into Skagit Bay. To the south, Skagit Bay connects with the rest of Puget Sound via Saratoga Passage and Possession Sound...
of Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Puget Sound is a sound in the U.S. state of Washington. It is a complex estuarine system of interconnected marine waterways and basins, with one major and one minor connection to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Pacific Ocean — Admiralty Inlet being the major connection and...
in the southwestern corner of Skagit County, Washington. Triangular in outline, 5.3 miles (8.5 km) east–west by 6.5 miles (10.5 km) north–south with an area of nearly 9900 acres (40.1 km²), Fir Island is occupied by 195 families. The island is connected by bridge to the village of Conway
Conway, Washington
Conway is a census-designated place in Skagit County, Washington, United States. First settled in 1873 by Thomas P. Jones and Charles Villeneuves, its population was 91 at the 2010 census...
, located on the east shore of the South Fork of the Skagit River. A second bridge, across the North Fork of the Skagit River, leads to La Conner
La Conner, Washington
La Conner is a town in Skagit County, Washington, United States with a population of 891 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Mount Vernon–Anacortes, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area. In the month of April, the town annually hosts the majority of the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival...
, 3.7 miles (6 km) northwest. Near the northeast tip of Fir Island is the site of the 19th century town of Skagit City
Skagit City, Washington
Skagit City was a town at the divergence of the North and South Forks of the Skagit River, in the U.S. state of Washington. The Barker's Trading Post along the river, opened in 1869, was partially or fully responsible for drawing people to settle at the townsite, which became an important river...
which declined after upstream log jams were removed in 1877.
Natural history
A major component of the Skagit River DeltaRiver delta
A delta is a landform that is formed at the mouth of a river where that river flows into an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, reservoir, flat arid area, or another river. Deltas are formed from the deposition of the sediment carried by the river as the flow leaves the mouth of the river...
, the island is an important habitat for wildlife. Migrating from the northern portion of Wrangel Island
Wrangel Island
Wrangel Island is an island in the Arctic Ocean, between the Chukchi Sea and East Siberian Sea. Wrangel Island lies astride the 180° meridian. The International Date Line is displaced eastwards at this latitude to avoid the island as well as the Chukchi Peninsula on the Russian mainland...
in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, 30,000 to 70,000 Snow Geese
Snow Goose
The Snow Goose , also known as the Blue Goose, is a North American species of goose. Its name derives from the typically white plumage. The genus of this bird is disputed...
spend the winter on the Skagit River Delta and the Fraser River
Fraser River
The Fraser River is the longest river within British Columbia, Canada, rising at Fraser Pass near Mount Robson in the Rocky Mountains and flowing for , into the Strait of Georgia at the city of Vancouver. It is the tenth longest river in Canada...
Delta of British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. 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.
Trumpeter Swan
The Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator, is the largest native North American bird, if measured in terms of weight and length, and is the largest living waterfowl species on earth. It is the North American counterpart of the European Whooper Swan.-Description:Males typically measure from and weigh...
s and the Bald Eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
. Over the course of a year, 180 species of birds have been recorded at Skagit Wildlife Area, 13000 acres (52.6 km²) of mostly tideland
Tideland
Tideland is the third published book by author Mitch Cullin, and is the third installment of the writer's Texas Trilogy that also includes the coming-of-age novel Whompyjawed and the novel-in-verse Branches....
s 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 acre (0.7284348 km²) portion of Skagit Wildlife Area. The project includes removal of 6500 feet (1,981.2 m) of existing dikes, construction of 6500 feet (1,981.2 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
Chinook salmon
The Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, is the largest species in the pacific salmon family. Other commonly used names for the species include King salmon, Quinnat salmon, Spring salmon and Tyee 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
Christine Gregoire
Christine O'Grady "Chris" Gregoire is the 22nd and current Governor of the state of Washington, and a member of the Democratic Party. Gregoire defeated Republican candidate Dino Rossi in 2004, and again in 2008. She is the second female governor of Washington...
.
Skagit River floods
On October 21, 2003, a peak flow of 135000 cubic feet (3,822.8 m³) 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
Pineapple Express
Pineapple Express is a non-technical term for a meteorological phenomenon characterized by a strong and persistent flow of atmospheric moisture and associated heavy rainfall from the waters adjacent to the Hawaiian Islands and extending to any location along the Pacific coast of North America...
storm, a flow of 125000 cubic feet (3,539.6 m³) per second and a crest 8.2 feet (2.5 m) feet above flood stage were recorded. Such floods deposit great quantities of driftwood
Driftwood
Driftwood is wood that has been washed onto a shore or beach of a sea or river by the action of winds, tides, waves or man. It is a form of marine debris or tidewrack....
along river channels and on tidelands.