American Whitewater supports protection of rivers in the Nooksack drainage through Wild and Scenic designation. In their 1990 evaluation, the Forest Service determined that all three forks of the Nooksack, plus Wells Creek on the North Fork and Bell Creek on the South Fork were eligible for Wild and Scenic designation for their outstanding fisheries, wildlife, recreation, scenic and historical/cultural values. Although key tributaries that include Glacier Creek, Clearwater Creek, Warm Creek, and Wanlick Creek were not studied, we believe they are suitable candidates for Wild and Scenic designation. American Whitewater is a founding member of the Nooksack Wild and Scenic Rivers Campaign.

The early 1990s saw the subsiding wake of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 that fueled a veritable gold rush for independent power producers trying to stake a claim on sites for hydropower development. Dozens of sites were considered in the Nooksack River basin and dreams of putting this river and its major tributaries in pipes were hatched by those looking to profit from the new developer-friendly provisions that had been enacted into law. These efforts continued through the early 2000's. The following projects have all been explored or considered in the Nooksack basin. Those for which a formal application was filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission are indicated by project number below:

• Smith Creek
• Sygitowicz Creek
• Mirror Lake
• Diamond Creek
• Warm Creek, P-10865, Dismissed March 7, 2003
• Clearwater Creek, P-11495, Dismissed February 12, 2003
• Skookum Creek, P-11850, Surrender of Preliminary Permit November 19, 2003
• Nooksack Falls (on the NF Nooksack), P-11857, Project Determined to be Non-Jurisdictional March 25, 2004
• Boulder Creek, P-4270, Dismissed November 10, 1999
• Deadhorse Creek, P-4282, Dismissed February 10, 2000
• Canyon Creek, P-4312, Dismissed February 10, 2000
• Wells Creek, P-4628, Dismissed February 10, 2000
• Heislers Creek (on the MF Nooksack), P-11389
• Glacier Creek, P-4738, Dismissed February 10, 2000
• Swamp Creek, P-13867
• Ruth Creek, P-13866

American Whitewater has been a formal stakeholder on several of these projects dating back to 1992 given the potential direct impacts to whitewater boating opportunities. As one of the most undeveloped and intact river systems in Puget Sound, our goal is to keep the river and its major tributaries in their wild and free flowing condition. Of these projects, Nooksack Falls is operational.

Until 2020, the Middle Fork Diversion Dam on the Nooksack River in Washington was a 25‐foot high, 125‐foot long concrete dam built in 1961 to divert water to Lake Whatcom, the City of Bellingham’s primary water supply. The original dam construction did not include fish passage facilities. Since 2002, the City of Bellingham, WA and fishery co-managers had been seeking a solution to the dilemma of how to restore fish passage at the Middle Fork Nooksack Diversion Dam as a result of an agreement between the City, Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. American Whitewater joined the conversation with a letter to the City that same year. While we saw a conservation opportunity, the Tribes saw the river itself as a bridge to their ancestors. The Middle Fork Nooksack (Nuxwt’iqw’em) and its salmon relatives are a significant part of their cultural identity, and the river is recognized as a Traditional Cultural Property. Removing the dam would open more than 26 miles of habitat for threatened salmon, steelhead, and bull trout but would also be a healing act for the river itself.

Various solutions for fish passage were considered from 2002 - 2016, including fish ladder variations and building hardened infrastructure in the river channel at the dam site so that water would flow into the existing diversion tunnel by gravity. Around this time Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen became personally interested in dam removal and in late 2016, American Rivers received a grant to hire a Project Manager and seed funding for technical planning work to begin on the Middle Fork Nooksack Dam removal project. The seed funding of $2.9 million from the Paul Allen Family Foundation was leveraged to secure salmon recovery dollars from state and federal sources, investment from the City of Bellingham, and to secure the $23 million in funding required for the project to be completed. The dam was removed and the river restored by August 2020. Read the full history of this project that was published in the Mar/Apr 2020 issue of the American Whitewater Journal.

American Whitewater has worked to improve public access to the North Fork Nooksack River and served in a leadership capacity to publish The Upper Nooksack River Recreation Plan that will help guide the management of recreation and natural resources along the upper Nooksack River system in Washington state. The plan recognizes and supports the economic and health benefits of recreation, along with protection and restoration of the natural and cultural values of the upper river basin. The recreation plan was developed through a collaborative planning process led by an advisory committee comprised of representatives from American Rivers, American Whitewater, Hydropower Reform Coalition, Mount Baker Club, National Park Service, Nooksack Tribe, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Pacific Northwest Trail Association, the United States Forest Service – Mt. Baker Ranger District, Whatcom Chapter of Back Country Horseman of Washington, Whatcom County Parks and Recreation Department, Whatcom Events (Ski to Sea Race), the Whatcom Land Trust, and Wild and Scenic River Tours. Planning assistance was provided by the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. Access to the North Fork Nooksack has presented challenges because the take-out for the run is downstream of the Forest Service boundary. We have identified a take-out on state lands managed by Washington Department of Natural Resources and have developed a concept plan for river access at this site in partnership with Washington Department of Natural Resources, Nooksack Tribe, American Rivers, Whatcom County, and the National Park Service. Access to the South Fork has also been a challenge.

American Whitewater has focused on the following specific projects:

1) Improved access for the Horseshoe Bend run: For many years paddlers accessed the river in a number of different locations for this run. American Whitewater worked with the Forest Service to locate a suitable location for a designated access point and the Forest Service completed a trail to provide access in 2014 at the Highway 542 pullout located at mile 37.3.

2) American Whitewater supported efforts by the Forest Service to invest in upgrades to the Horseshoe Bend Trailhead at the bridge across the river at Highway 542 mile 35.4. The wide steps down to the river at this location are designed to accommodate rafts.

3) Access at the Warnick Bridge at Highway 542 mile 30.7 was improved when the site was used for habitat restoration projects. Boaters can now access the river more easily at the downstream right right side of the bridge. The access could likely be further improved during a future bridge replacement in a manner consistent with the requirements of state law to consider access to waterways (RCW 47.01.500).

4) For many years American Whitewater has advocated for improved access at Highway 542 milepost 27. We have located a parcel of state land near this location that is managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources and have developed a concept plan for river access and restoration of this site.

American Whitewater has worked with the Forest Service to develop guidelines that protect salmon while providing opportunities for paddlers to enjoy the North Fork Nooksack River.

The Nooksack River is an important river for Chinook salmon which are protected under the Endangered Species Act. These fish are particularly vulnerable when spawning (August thru September). American Whitewater has developed the following guidelines with the US Forest Service for recreational activities on the North Fork Nooksack for the protection of these fish:

• Avoid recreational activities that include contact access on the water (e.g. paddling, fishing, wading) from August 15th to October 15th. During this period of low water, which occurs during the Chinook spawning period, fish are particularly vulnerable to disturbance from boats that pass overhead or individuals wading in the river. An exception is allowed at higher flows above 1000 cfs (as measured by the USGS gauge).
• An exception to the above guidelines is made for the short high gradient Horsehoe Bend section. Because this reach is of higher gradient than that typically used by spawning salmon it may be used by paddlers during the period August 15th to October 15th (paddlers are asked to carefully review the information on access points in the run description).
• Following the completion of spawning in mid October, eggs in gravel are vulnerable through the end of March. Do not get out of your boat or wade in the river in areas where the substrate is smaller than the size of a grapefruit as you could crush eggs by walking in areas with gravel.

By following these voluntary guidelines we can protect fish and provide recreational opportunities. By demonstrating cooperation with these guidelines we can avoid mandatory river closures and retain this more flexible alternative.