The Corps of Engineers and King County, along with the construction contractor Doyon Project Services, completed construction of the North Wind's Weir habitat restoration project Dec. 18, 2009.
The North Wind's Weir project, which is one of the largest restoration projects on the Duwamish River, turned 2 1/2 acres of land into off-channel habitat that now allows water to flow onto the land, creating a mudflat and vegetated marsh. Named for a rocky ledge that juts into the river and is visible only at lower tides, the North Wind's Weir project site lies at the critical point where the freshwater of the Green/Duwamish River and saltwater of Puget Sound mix in Tukwila, Wash. This project offers federally-protected chinook salmon with shallow water habitat, feeding opportunities and plenty of hiding places as they make the transition from freshwater to saltwater.
Trees at the North Wind's Weir habitat restoration project will provide benefits to wildlife. The "trees" installed vertically are perching trees that will provide a habitat for cavity-dwelling birds, such as woodpeckers. The tree trunks chained to anchors will provide shelter for young fish during high tide. (Photo courtesy of King County)