Sweetwater Creek, a natural salmon stream on the south end of Belfair, WA near the "Winds of Change" business building, is the site of a current realignment project by the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center. This stream realignment restores the natural water flow to the stream and improves fish habitat and water quality.

"In the early days of the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center concept, our original plan was to locate the Salmon Center on the property surrounding the Creek, and restoring the stream was part of that concept. Though we selected a new site in 2005 when the North Mason School Board expressed concerns about that initial building location across from Belfair Elementary School, we are still following through with our commitment to the restoration, and are pleased to do this work to improve fish passage and the general health of Sweetwater Creek" said Tori Dulemba of the Salmon Center.

Sweetwater Creek currently has two 90 degree bends which are not part of a natural stream alignment. A new alignment will smooth out those sharp angles, returning the creek to a more natural, meandering path, aiding fish passage and stream flow. Additionally, the creek is choked with invasive knotweed, which is very difficult to eradicate. The existing noxious weeds will be removed, and approved steps will be taken to prevent their re-growth.

Earlier this year, truckloads of trash, including tires and an old car, were removed as part of the clean-up. The reconstruction is being done now, during the "fish window", when juvenile salmon have migrated out to sea and the adults have not yet returned to spawn. The stream restoration project is expected to be completed this week, with the work being done by Zephyr's Inc of Allyn, a local company with years of restoration experience. The new design was done by Bruce Dees and Associates, who also did the Theler trails design here in Belfair.

The reworked creek will have a new gravel bed, a gently curved path with pools, point bars and riffles to enhance fish passage through the stream. Native plants will be added this fall, when we can count on rain to help them get established.

"It is exciting to see this restoration project moving forward, and to have Sweetwater Creek returned to good health. The natural beauty of this area is something we all must be good stewards of - for the wildlife, for ourselves and for future generations," said Fred Barrett, President of the Salmon Center Board of Directors. "With the recent Commissioners' decision allowing our project plans to proceed, the community can look forward to many more projects and educational opportunities like this one in the future."

Field letter from Mason County Planning
Approval from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Hydraulic Project Approval