| Fir Island | |
| Settlement Type: | Island |
| Pushpin Map: | Washington |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within the state of Washington |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Washington |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Skagit County |
| Subdivision Type3: | Bodies of Water |
| Subdivision Name3: | Skagit River and Skagit Bay of Puget Sound |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 15.5 |
| Timezone: | PST |
| Utc Offset: | -8 |
| Timezone Dst: | PDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -7 |
| Coordinates: | 48.35°N -145°W |
Fir Island is bounded by North and South Forks of the Skagit River and Skagit Bay of Puget Sound in the southwestern corner of Skagit County, Washington. Triangular in outline, 5.3miles east - west by 6.5miles north - south with an area of nearly 9900acres, Fir Island is occupied by 195 families. The island is connected by bridge to the village of Conway, located on the east shore of the South Fork of the Skagit River. A second bridge, across the North Fork of the Skagit River, leads to La Conner, 3.7miles northwest. Near the northeast tip of Fir Island is the site of the 19th-century town of Skagit City which declined after upstream log jams were removed in 1877.
A major component of the Skagit River Delta, the island is an important habitat for wildlife. Migrating from the northern portion of Wrangel Island in Russia, 30,000 to 70,000 snow geese spend the winter on the Skagit River Delta and the Fraser River Delta of British Columbia. Important internationally, this population and one that winters in California, are the only snow geese that migrate between Eurasia and North America and the only remnant still extant in Eurasia.[1] [2] Other migratory waterfowl include tundra swans, trumpeter swans and the bald eagle. Over the course of a year, 180 species of birds have been recorded at Skagit Wildlife Area, 13000acres of mostly tidelands and intertidal marsh, the largest section of which is located on the southern margin of the island.[3]
Near the south end of Fir Island, the Wiley Slough Restoration Project is intended to restore natural processes to a 180acres portion of Skagit Wildlife Area. The project includes removal of 6500feet of existing dikes, construction of 6500feet of new dikes, and construction of a new tide gate on Wiley Slough upstream of the existing one which will be removed. The main goal of the project is to increase the diversity of species that depend on estuaries, especially Puget Sound Chinook Salmon that are listed as threatened under the provisions of the Endangered Species Act. Despite opposition by hunters, the project is supported by many in the community and Governor Christine Gregoire.[4] [5]
Fir Island is periodically flooded by the Skagit River.
On February 27, 1932 Fir Island flooded after a dike broke between Fir and Skagit City.[6] A number of buildings were carried away by the river, and area farmers lost between 150 and 200 chickens, 4 head of cattle, and 8 or 10 sheep.
On November 25, 1990, the 152000cuft per second flow of the Skagit River caused it to overtop its 10feet earthen dikes and the island was inundated. No human fatalities occurred but livestock deaths were reported. Dike repairs the following summer cost $7 million.[7]
On October 21, 2003, a peak flow of 135000cuft per second occurred when the Skagit River crested at more than 14feet above flood stage. A total of 3,400 people were evacuated from flood prone areas along the river. On November 8, 2006, in the aftermath of a strong Pineapple Express storm, a flow of 125000cuft per second and a crest 8.2feet feet above flood stage were recorded.[8] Such floods deposit great quantities of driftwood along river channels and on tidelands.[9]