To build a healthier Snohomish River, more log jams

SNOHOMISH — Mike Rustay likes log jams, for good reason.

“We like log jams especially along the edge of the river,” said Rustay, senior habitat specialist with Snohomish County. “They provide a lot of fish habitat, a little natural roughness.”

About 3½ miles south of Snohomish, a path meanders alongside the levee at Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve alongside Thomas’ Eddy. At this point, it’s well worn into the ground.

Anglers use it to access the Snohomish River and the path ends in a jumbled mess of old logs at a breech in the levee. It is just the type of barrier Snohomish County and the state Fish and Wildlife Office would like to see more of. Before European settlement, the river was full of log jams and snags.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/to-build-a-healthier-snohomish-river-more-log-jams/