Salmon Superhighway: Islands Reborn for Fish

In June 2026, Skagit County, Washington, initiated a significant coastal restoration project on two islands in the South Fork Skagit River delta. Managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the Island Unit Restoration Project is converting 270 acres of former farmland into natural intertidal wetlands.

The project involves removing old sea defenses and breaching river levees to restore natural water movement. This action will reconnect isolated marshes to tidal flows, opening up hundreds of additional acres of estuary habitat. These restored tidal channels are vital for young Puget Sound Chinook salmon, a species protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Historical dikes and levees, built in the early 1900s for farming, have been removed. This allows saltwater from Skagit Bay and freshwater from the Skagit River to flow freely across the islands once more. The restoration will also include new internal channels, boat landings, and elevated mounds, with construction expected to last through autumn 2028.

While the Island Unit will be closed to the public until autumn 2028 due to construction, the final design will enhance recreational access. Future improvements include low-angle landings for boaters and hunters, and raised mounds planted with native vegetation. The project is funded by a combination of state and federal sources, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.