Introduction:
The general course of the Nooksack River has not changed in the last 170 years. The land that the river travels through has changed. Cities have all built up along its banks and the agricultural industry has developed right up to the shoreline. Before widespread development occurred the river meandered through a lowland prairie consistent with that found in the Pacific Northwest. The river morphology evolved at a natural pace; it contained point bars, oxbows and braided stream channels that widened, narrowed and shifted and were cooled by a bank of lush vegetation. Large natural debris fell into the river and became habitat for myriad life forms. Today it squeezes its way through a manmade labyrinth of cities and farms, forced into a permanent channel; and if it spreads beyond its existing banks the groups that manage the river go to great lengths to disallow the river’s natural inclination toward change.
This is a preliminary study of the effects of a re-establishment of the natural riparian zone. This analysis is the beginning of a study that could one day ascertain the cost of and arrive at a complete understanding of the implications of a re-establishment of a natural riparian zone to the main stem of the Nooksack River. The study area extends from the confluence of the north fork and the south fork at Deming, Washington down to the mouth of the river at Marietta, Washington. This report is a preliminary analysis. I have developed a data set and a model that could be used for a much larger and more comprehensive study.
A modern day analog that should be closely examined is the American River in California; it has remained unchanged for the last 150 years. (Vinci, 2014) One fact that is irrefutable is that the anadromous fish of the Nooksack River System are in decline. When you compare the Nooksack River to the American River in California, you find two very different realities. The Nooksack River is struggling to maintain a healthy anadromous fish population, while the American River has a world class steelhead fishery and a vibrant anadromous fish population.
The most dramatic difference between the two river systems is that the American River is contained within bordering dikes that are built well away from the river and allow for a natural riparian zone to exist and evolve; the river is allowed to flow and meander naturally. (Vinci, 2014)
The Nooksack River, on the other hand, is more of a channel that runs through agricultural zones and towns. The course of the river is not allowed to change, but instead the state, county, and cities, attempt to manage the course and maintain it. As a result there is a limited evolving riparian zone.
What if that riparian zone where to be re-established? There would be less land dedicated for agriculture but more land dedicated to the natural evolution of the river system. Would the net result be an improvement to the area, and to the quality of life to the residence of Whatcom County? If we moved back away from the river would the riparian zone return naturally? Would the health of the anadromous fish populations improve? Could we afford it?
The general course of the Nooksack River has not changed in the last 170 years. The land that the river travels through has changed. Cities have all built up along its banks and the agricultural industry has developed right up to the shoreline. Before widespread development occurred the river meandered through a lowland prairie consistent with that found in the Pacific Northwest. The river morphology evolved at a natural pace; it contained point bars, oxbows and braided stream channels that widened, narrowed and shifted and were cooled by a bank of lush vegetation. Large natural debris fell into the river and became habitat for myriad life forms. Today it squeezes its way through a manmade labyrinth of cities and farms, forced into a permanent channel; and if it spreads beyond its existing banks the groups that manage the river go to great lengths to disallow the river’s natural inclination toward change.
This is a preliminary study of the effects of a re-establishment of the natural riparian zone. This analysis is the beginning of a study that could one day ascertain the cost of and arrive at a complete understanding of the implications of a re-establishment of a natural riparian zone to the main stem of the Nooksack River. The study area extends from the confluence of the north fork and the south fork at Deming, Washington down to the mouth of the river at Marietta, Washington. This report is a preliminary analysis. I have developed a data set and a model that could be used for a much larger and more comprehensive study.
A modern day analog that should be closely examined is the American River in California; it has remained unchanged for the last 150 years. (Vinci, 2014) One fact that is irrefutable is that the anadromous fish of the Nooksack River System are in decline. When you compare the Nooksack River to the American River in California, you find two very different realities. The Nooksack River is struggling to maintain a healthy anadromous fish population, while the American River has a world class steelhead fishery and a vibrant anadromous fish population.
The most dramatic difference between the two river systems is that the American River is contained within bordering dikes that are built well away from the river and allow for a natural riparian zone to exist and evolve; the river is allowed to flow and meander naturally. (Vinci, 2014)
The Nooksack River, on the other hand, is more of a channel that runs through agricultural zones and towns. The course of the river is not allowed to change, but instead the state, county, and cities, attempt to manage the course and maintain it. As a result there is a limited evolving riparian zone.
What if that riparian zone where to be re-established? There would be less land dedicated for agriculture but more land dedicated to the natural evolution of the river system. Would the net result be an improvement to the area, and to the quality of life to the residence of Whatcom County? If we moved back away from the river would the riparian zone return naturally? Would the health of the anadromous fish populations improve? Could we afford it?