Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie Natural Area

The Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Area consists of almost 150 acres of forested land consisting of four parcels that border the south side of the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, about nine miles east of North Bend. The Natural Area is served by only one road, the Lake Dorothy Road, which bisects the western edge of the Natural Area, then crosses the river at a concrete bridge. The Middle Fork Snoqualmie is considered a King County Class I river and a Shoreline of State-wide significance because of its flow. Although anadromous fish do not spawn or rear above Snoqualmie Falls, the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River supports a valuable non-anadramous recreational fishery of cutthroat and rainbow trout, as well as whitefish. The Natural Area represents a small portion of the overall watershed, but contains significant components important to the health of the system.

Although current use of the entire Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Area is minimal, passive recreational users and anglers access the river and small sandy beach via an old road just downstream of the concrete bridge.

Significant resources and public access opportunities at the Natural Area include:

• The Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River, a King County Class 1 stream and Shoreline of State-wide Significance.
• Granite Creek, a King County Class 2, non-anadromous salmonid-bearing stream.
• Numerous unnamed perennial creeks which drain to the river and beaver ponds in backwater areas.
• Deciduous forested wetlands within the floodplain.
• Habitat for numerous terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, including bear, elk, and cougar, and native amphibian species.
• High quality, diverse habitat for a variety of resident and migratory bird species.
• Good river viewing and relatively easy foot access to the river at site adjacent to the Lake Dorothy Road bridge.

The Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie Park Natural Area Site Management Plan is available in Adobe Acrobat format. For help using Acrobat files, please visit our Acrobat help page. The document is available in parts to reduce download time and minimize computer problems during and after download.

Download Here:

Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie Park Natural Area Site Management Plan

Figure 1 - Site Location in Snohomish Watershed

Figure 2 - Site Location

Figure 3 - Existing Conditions

Figure 4 - Natural Resources

Figure 5 - Site Management

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Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Water and Land Resources Division

Updated: Feb. 24, 2005