Hansen Creek is a large creek that flows south from Lyman Hill to the Skagit River, just east of Sedro-Woolley. It is a major feature of the grounds at the former Northern State Hospital, now home to the SWIFT Center and Northern State Recreation Area.
All five species of Pacific salmon inhabit Hansen Creek, plus steelhead trout. Multiple community partners have implemented restoration projects in the Hansen Creek system, including Skagit River System Cooperative and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe.
Restoration was begun by SFEG in the late 90s, with bank stabilization, in-stream structures, and extensive riparian planting happening throughout the Northern State campus. Back then we had our field shop and native plant nursery in unused portions of the campus, and we frequently used Hansen Creek restoration sites for training volunteers in field monitoring protocols.
Now most of the reaches where SFEG’s restoration occurred are adjacent to public walking trails in Northern State Recreation Area, and anyone can enjoy these walks while taking in the sights and sounds of Hansen Creek and its wildlife. On a recent visit it was fascinating to see elements of restoration 20+ years after implementation. With the extensive planting done adjacent to the stream by volunteers over the years, there is dense habitat for birds and other wildlife. The park is managed for multiple use, including a frisbee golf course. It’s not uncommon to see horseback riders on the trails, and of course lots of dog walkers.
Several Earth Days have been celebrated along Hansen Creek. Volunteers planted hundreds of native trees and shrubs in the upper reaches of the park, and wetland grasses in the lower section, where the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe has undertaken a project to restore the creek’s alluvial fan.
The alluvial fan wetland visible from Highway 20 looking north
Recent trail improvements along Hansen Creek have been undertaken by volunteers with Skagit Trail Builders. Check out their website for more information and to help out!
More information on Swift Center Here
For more on the fascinating history of Northern State Hospital check out the book Under The Red Roof: One Hundred Years At Northern State Hospital by M J McGoffin
SFEG Spring Speaker Series: A Natural History of the Skagit Valley
Upcoming EventsPlease join us for Skagit Fisheries’ virtual spring speaker series!
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Jon Riedel, who will present on the history and geological changes of the Skagit Valley, for our first talk.
A Natural History of the Skagit Valley
Geologic Evolution of the Skagit Valley is based on more than 30 years of research by geologist Dr. Jon Riedel. This talk traces major changes in the watershed and river caused by glaciation, landslides, volcanic eruptions, and colossal ice age floods. Dr. Riedel will also briefly discuss how knowledge of the Skagit’s development has helped us understand the peculiar genetic diversity of some species in the watershed.
Jon Riedel is a geologist with the U.S. National Park Service at North Cascades National Park. He holds a M.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and a Ph.D. from Simon Fraser University, and is a licensed geologist in Washington. The focus of his research during the past 30 years is the response of Washington’s glaciers to climate change, from the last ice age 30,000 years ago to the modern warming climate. Dr. Riedel established glacier monitoring programs at Olympic (2013), Mount Rainier (2003) and North Cascades (1993) national parks to track changes in more than 500 glaciers. Recent publications have quantified changes in volume and runoff from glaciers in several regional watersheds and detailed the retreat of the last Cordilleran ice sheet from the North Cascades. Jon is also a founding member and president of the Skagit Climate Science Consortium, a nonprofit organization focused on studying the impacts of climate change in Puget Sound’s largest watershed and making this information available to local decision makers.
This is event is FREE, however, donations are appreciated.
Thursday, April 29th 6-7:30 PM RSVP
Hansen Creek 20 Years On | Project 8 of 30
30/30 Projects, From the FieldHansen Creek is a large creek that flows south from Lyman Hill to the Skagit River, just east of Sedro-Woolley. It is a major feature of the grounds at the former Northern State Hospital, now home to the SWIFT Center and Northern State Recreation Area.
All five species of Pacific salmon inhabit Hansen Creek, plus steelhead trout. Multiple community partners have implemented restoration projects in the Hansen Creek system, including Skagit River System Cooperative and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe.
Restoration was begun by SFEG in the late 90s, with bank stabilization, in-stream structures, and extensive riparian planting happening throughout the Northern State campus. Back then we had our field shop and native plant nursery in unused portions of the campus, and we frequently used Hansen Creek restoration sites for training volunteers in field monitoring protocols.
Now most of the reaches where SFEG’s restoration occurred are adjacent to public walking trails in Northern State Recreation Area, and anyone can enjoy these walks while taking in the sights and sounds of Hansen Creek and its wildlife. On a recent visit it was fascinating to see elements of restoration 20+ years after implementation. With the extensive planting done adjacent to the stream by volunteers over the years, there is dense habitat for birds and other wildlife. The park is managed for multiple use, including a frisbee golf course. It’s not uncommon to see horseback riders on the trails, and of course lots of dog walkers.
Several Earth Days have been celebrated along Hansen Creek. Volunteers planted hundreds of native trees and shrubs in the upper reaches of the park, and wetland grasses in the lower section, where the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe has undertaken a project to restore the creek’s alluvial fan.
The alluvial fan wetland visible from Highway 20 looking north
Recent trail improvements along Hansen Creek have been undertaken by volunteers with Skagit Trail Builders. Check out their website for more information and to help out!
More information on Swift Center Here
For more on the fascinating history of Northern State Hospital check out the book Under The Red Roof: One Hundred Years At Northern State Hospital by M J McGoffin
Weekday Potting Party April 8th
Upcoming EventsPotting Party Fun!
Are weekdays your thing? Then join us on Thursdays this spring getting baby plants into pots at our nursery. SFEG staff will be on site all day each Thursday, and we invite YOU to join us 9am-noon. Stay an hour, stay longer! Your choice.
Bring your own gloves if you have them. If not, we will gift you some! All ages welcome, masks required. Dress for the weather!
Due to ongoing Covid-19 health and safety concerns, registration for these and all volunteer events is required, in order to maintain small group numbers. Maximum participants is 12 for each event.
Register HERE