Sauk River flows with riprap removed

Published 11:22 pm Tuesday, September 16, 2008

DARRINGTON — More than 400 feet of rock barrier built along the Sauk River has been removed, according to the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.

Crews working for Skagit County broke up the dike, also known as riprap, late last month as part of a $1.2 million project that will stretch into next year. The riprap was built to protect private property west of the river near Darrington, but the barrier repeatedly failed.

The barrier also moved the water away from prime salmon habitat.

The Sauk Suiattle Indian Tribe, working with the Skagit River System Cooperative and Skagit County, purchased private property totaling about 55 acres near the river. People who lived there moved away. Now that the riprap has been removed, the river is likely to overflow and return to its natural course, according to ecologists with the Skagit River System Cooperative.

Next month, crews are expected to remove wells and septic tanks used by residents who, until this summer, lived near the river. Environmental experts from the Sauk Suiattle Tribe plan to begin restoring native vegetation.

Reporter Krista J. Kapralos: 425-339-3422 or kkapralos@heraldnet.com.