Andy Bronson / Herald file                                 A joint project by the Tulalip Tribes and the city of Snohomish will see to the removal the Pilchuck River Dam by summer 2020.

Andy Bronson / Herald file A joint project by the Tulalip Tribes and the city of Snohomish will see to the removal the Pilchuck River Dam by summer 2020.

Pilchuck Dam removal would clear the way for salmon

Backers of the fish-habitat project near Granite Falls have scheduled a March 19 open house.

GRANITE FALLS — Plans are moving ahead to get rid of a major barrier to fish on the Pilchuck River.

Anyone who wants to learn more about the Pilchuck River Dam demolition is welcome to attend a March 19 open house. It’s scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Granite Falls Library on 815 E. Galena St.

“The demolition timeline is still looking like summer (August) 2020,” said Brett Shattuck, a restoration ecologist with the Tulalip Tribes. “We continue to develop designs, permitting and conduct community outreach.”

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The city of Snohomish joined forces with the tribes to work on removing the structure, which the city owns. For more than a century, the dam and its forerunner supplied drinking water to town. It’s unclear why city leaders chose the spot about 15 miles away.

The dam blocks about 14 miles of the upper Pilchuck River. There is a fish ladder, but it isn’t effective.

By restoring access to habitat, the tribes hope to boost the recovery of fish species that once thrived there. Steelhead and chinook salmon are both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Coho salmon, a species of concern, also could benefit.

The first wooden diversion dam was built in 1912, a year after a fire destroyed part of downtown Snohomish. The concrete dam went up in 1932.

About two years ago, the city decommissioned the dam and a nearby water-treatment plant. They now serve no practical purpose.

Snohomish has relied on the tribes’ expertise to navigate federal and state regulations. “The tribes have been instrumental in helping us move it through the permitting process,” said Steve Schuller, Snohomish’s city administrator and utility general manager. “It would be laborious for us as a smaller city.”

The governments have made progress in securing grants for the work, which is expected to cost at least $1.8 million. It would involve heavy equipment working in and around the water.

Staff from the tribes and city plan to attend the upcoming meeting to answer questions about the project. At least one more public meeting is expected, Shattuck said, likely this summer.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee proposed his final state budget on Tuesday. It calls for a new wealth tax, an increase in business taxes, along with some programs and a closure of a women’s prison. The plan will be a starting point for state lawmakers in the 2025 legislative session. (Jerry Cornfield / Washington State Standard)
Inslee proposes taxing the wealthy and businesses to close budget gap

His final spending plan calls for raising about $13 billion over four years from additional taxes. Republicans decry the approach.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

Everett
Police believe Ebey Island murder suspect fled to Arizona

In April, prosecutors allege, Lucas Cartwright hit Clayton Perry with his car, killing him on the island near Everett.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

x
Edmonds man accused of manslaughter in husband’s death

The husband, 34, was experiencing a mental health crisis when the accused, 47, called police, authorities said.

Dozens of people with mustaches clipped wait to be measured for a Guinness World Record Mustache Chain Attempt on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Photos of the Year 2024

From breaking news to features and everything in between, here are the Herald photo staff’s favorite images from 2024.

Clockwise from top left: A figure known as the Lake Stevens Bigfoot-Moss Man-Sasquatch sits among trees in Lake Stevens (Annie Barker), Amadea, a superyacht, docked at the Port of Everett on April 29 in Everett (Olivia Vanni), Royalwood Estates Mobile Home Park residents Patsy Gilbert, left, and Elna Olson, right, give a brief tour of the mobile home park on March 11 in Lynnwood (Olivia Vanni) and I-5, Highway 529 and BNSF railroad bridges cross over Union Slough, as the main routes for traffic between Everett and Marysville. (Olivia Vanni)
The top 10 most-read Herald stories of 2024

Stories about a seized superyacht, Sasquatch and ferry prices were some of the most read in Snohomish County.

35th Avenue neighborhood residents John Ray, left, and Shelia Davis, right, next to one of many signs scattered throughout the neighborhood look for community support on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Marysville neighbors push back against new homes

Residents are worried about added traffic, water safety and emergency response times. Are their concerns valid?

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Gold Bar in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Dispute over stolen phone precipitated Gold Bar shooting

Police arrested Bryan Waltner for investigation of first-degree assault in the Christmas Day shooting.

A cement block wall holds back refuse at United Recycling and Containers behind a home on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Snohomish, Washington. Years ago, the homes on 109th Ave SE overlooked a 150-foot drop into an old gravel pit. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County recycler faces $3.4M fine from state

A state investigation found DTG Recycle has been operating near Maltby without proper permits.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.