Ten Years of Tending to Woods Creek
2014: The property was covered in Himalyan blackberry and reed canarygrass.
Woods Creek is one of the highest priority watersheds for salmon recovery in Snohomish County, but salmon runs have been declining. High water temperatures, lots of fine sediment, and a lack of large woody debris in the creek are threatening the salmon populations. High fecal coliform levels in the water also indicate unhealthy bacteria from people, livestock, and pet waste. However, strategic partnerships and landowner support are starting to turn the tide in this important area.
Woods Creek flows from the Lake Roesiger area south toward the City of Monroe, where it empties into the Skykomish River. In 2012, Snohomish Conservation District worked with Snohomish County to develop a Woods Creek Action Plan for Riparian Restoration. One of the goals of this plan was to partner with landowners along the creek to plant 45 acres of trees in the riparian zone, the area bordering the stream. These trees provide shade (which cools water temperatures for fish), slow stream bank erosion, and filter fecal coliform bacteria and other pollutants from stormwater runoff. They also provide a long-term source of large woody debris, which is important for improving aquatic habitat.
2016: Young trees are protected with plant cones.
The Subach-Barbero family is an integral partner and landowner in the Woods Creek watershed. Their property was one of the first to host Woods Creek restoration work. At the time, the family was battling invasive blackberry bushes on their property in an effort to improve stream access for their children. Mary Subach was inspired to attend a riparian workshop at the local elementary school where she discovered Snohomish Conservation District and our restoration programs. She quickly got in touch and scheduled a site visit, starting a relationship that has now lasted for over a decade.
The first step of the restoration project at the Subach-Barberos’ property, completed in 2014, involved removing Himalayan blackberry and shading out reed canarygrass. These plants grow prolifically and often out-compete native species, completely taking over the riparian zone. The Subach-Barberos were grateful for the District’s help in combatting these invasive plants.
“I’m so pleased with the work that has been done and how the trees and shrubs have grown,” said Mary.
2023: After years of maintenance and site monitoring, the plants have out-competed the invasive species.
In early 2024, the District continued to restore the Subach-Barbero property with a second planting project. Planting at the same location twice is not unusual for riparian restoration projects, as some plants are inevitably lost to deer, beavers, drought, and other factors. This second round also made it possible to plant more shrubs and conifers in the understory.
Mary’s family has helped care for the newly planted area to ensure the survival of these native species. They have a path down to a picnic area near the creek where they’re able to watch salmon swim upstream in the fall. This past summer they also noticed a new beaver dam appear.
The Subach-Barbero property has become a keystone project in the Woods Creek watershed. It is an example of how landowner buy-in and support can take a restoration project to the next level, resulting in long-term success for our collective conservation efforts.
Since 2013, 21 landowners, including the Subach-Barberos, have worked with the District to plant native trees and shrubs along Woods Creek on their properties, totaling 45 acres of riparian habitat. We’ve met our initial goals outlined in the Woods Creek Action Plan for Riparian Restoration, but the work isn’t finished. There are still large areas of West Fork Woods Creek that are degraded and community partnerships are essential for continued success of this project.
We are grateful to our partners who have helped make these efforts possible. The Adopt A Stream Foundation contributed to a large wood installation in Woods Creek to improve salmon habitat and Wild Fish Conservancy partnered with us to complete a fish passage barrier assessment. Additional agencies have generously funded work in this area, including Washington Department of Ecology’s Combined Water Quality Funding Program and Terry Husseman Account, Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office Salmon Recovery Funding Board, and the Washington State Conservation Commission.
Diverse funding and valuable partnerships have resulted in long-term collective impact in the Woods Creek watershed and we look forward to continued improvements for salmon, water quality, and the humans that call this area home.
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the Washington State Department of Ecology through their Water Quality grant program. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Department of Ecology, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.