SKAGIT RIVER ESTUARY Sample Clauses

SKAGIT RIVER ESTUARY. The Skagit River estuarine delta extends from the mouths of the North and South Fork Skagit Rivers upstream to their confluence, although tidal influence reaches as far upstream as Sedro Xxxxxxx. Recent estimates indicate that total estuarine/riverine tidal habitat now covers 6,316 acres, with 2,508 acres of estuarine emergent xxxxx; 2,471 acres of emergent/forested transition; and 1,337 acres of forested riverine/tidal zone. The channel area is estimated at 1,436 acres of main stem channel; 215 acres of subsidiary channels; 59 acres of large blind channels; and a maximum of 232 acres of small blind channels. A 72- percent loss of total estuarine delta habitat has been estimated for the Skagit Basin from the river mouth to Sedro Xxxxxxx. The highest percentage loss is riverine tidal habitat, which has been reduced by about 84 percent. Estuarine forested transition habitat and estuarine emergent xxxxx habitat have also shown dramatic losses of 66 percent and 68 percent, respectively. Currently, there is a fringe of xxxxx habitat seaward of the dikes in the north Skagit Delta and an area of xxxxx along the South Fork Skagit River mouth. Riparian conditions along the sloughs and streams within the Skagit Delta are rated “poor”. Nearly all of the riparian areas along the Fir Island sloughs and 90 percent along the Skagit Flats streams and sloughs have been converted to a non-forest use. A non-forest land use results in a loss of riparian function, and likely affects the water temperatures that are found in many of these streams. The Skagit delta supports large concentrations of wintering waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors. A significant portion of an entire trumpeter swan population xxxxxxx in this area, as well as the entire population of gray-bellied xxxxx, a subpopulation of xxxxx geese. Additionally, thousands of snow geese utilize fields in the area.