Living With the Methow River

Monthly Activities and Learning Opportunities

January 2016

It Takes a Watershed: One River, Many Users.

Agriculture
Homesteaders arrived in the Methow Valley in the early 19^th century, drawn by the broad valley floor that offered flat fertile ground to grow crops and raise livestock.  Agriculture continues to be an important component of the life in the Methow.  It provides a livelihood for many ranchers and farmers, and offers an important aesthetic value to the landscape.  The rivers offer a reliable year -round water source and irrigation systems have been developed to support this agriculture.   Many of the irrigation systems used today were developed over 100 years ago.

River restoration projects coordinate with local ranchers and farmers to improve the efficiency of their irrigation systems and to minimize the effect diverting water from the river.  Projects have included reconstructing diversions in the river to improve late summer water delivery and instream fish passage, converting delivery systems to a pressurized pipe to minimize water loss, and updating individual irrigation systems to increase the efficiency of water application.

Scenery

The rocky peaks of the North Cascades and tree covered foothills provide a picturesque backdrop to shrub-steppe hills.  On the Valley floor, the meandering Methow River dominates the foreground of the landscape.  The scenery of the Methow and its rivers has been a significant draw for residents and visitors.

The aesthetic aspect of projects is an important component to restoration work.  Projects are designed to balance habitat objects and visual appeal.  Installed infrastructure is designed to merge with the natural environment.

Recreation

Over the past few decades recreation has become an important component of the Methow Valley’s economy.  Fish are not the only river users, boaters and fishermen utilize the river as well. 

It is important that restoration projects account for recreation use.  Instream projects are installed to minimize safety risks to boaters.  Boaters and fisherman are often frequent river users and can provide valuable feedback on projects.  Following the Carlton fire and subsequent mud flow in 2014, the fisherman and boaters were a major component of the river cleanup effort.

Habitat

Enhancing fish habitat is a key component of river restoration projects.  However, these are not just “fish projects”.  It is important that projects account for agriculture, overall aesthetics of the river, recreation users, in addition to meeting the habitat objectives of the project.

River Restoration project components have included planting vegetation along streambanks to increase shade and reduce water temperature, enhancing stream complexity to increase fish habitat and developing rearing habitat for juvenile fish.

This year’s MRC calendar connects to ADVENTURES, ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION tailored to each month. If you haven't gotten your calendar yet, you can download an electronic version here.

Come back each month and find interactive activities, print outs, and suggested learning opportunities in our community.

Just follow the fish and engage in learning.