The Puyallup River ( / p juː ˈ æ l ə p / pyew- AL -əp ) is a river in the U.S. state of Washington . About 45 miles (72 km) long, it is formed by glaciers on the west side of Mount Rainier . It flows generally northwest, emptying into Commencement Bay , part of Puget Sound . The river and its tributaries drain an area of about 948 square miles (2,460 km ) in Pierce County and southern King County .
52-468: The Clover Park School District ( CPSD ) is the fourth largest school district in Pierce County, Washington , United States, and the 28th largest public school district in the state. The Clover Park School District is located directly south of Tacoma, Washington in the city of Lakewood . The district includes 68 square miles (180 km) within the western area of Pierce County . CPSD serves
104-900: A branch campus in Steilacoom. University of Washington Tacoma is a branch campus of University of Washington . The Evergreen State College also has a campus in Tacoma. Libraries include the Pierce County Library System , the Tacoma Library System, and the Puyallup Public Library. The Pierce County Library is the fourth largest library system in the state. There are currently 20 branches, including: The Pierce County Library System currently employs 394 people, and serves 579,970 citizens throughout 1,773 square miles. Established in 1944,
156-470: A family was $ 68,462. Males had a median income of $ 50,084 versus $ 38,696 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 27,446. About 8.1% of families and 11.6% of the population were below the poverty line , including 15.0% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or over. The area was originally home to the present-day Nisqually, Puyallup, Squaxin, Steilacoom, and Muckleshoot tribes. The majority of Puyallup villages were situated in proximity to
208-448: A household was $ 82,574, but the per capita income was $ 39,036. 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line . As of the 2010 census , there were 795,225 people, 299,918 households, and 202,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 476.3 people per square mile (183.9 people/km ). There were 325,375 housing units at an average density of 194.9 units per square mile (75.3 units/km ). The racial makeup of
260-717: A legal combatant of the Indian War Leschi should not have been held accountable under law for the death of an enemy soldier," thereby exonerating him of any wrongdoing. Pierce County has adopted and is governed by a Charter. This is allowed by section 4 of Article XI of the Washington State Constitution. The Pierce County Executive , currently Bruce Dammeier (R), heads the county's executive branch. The Assessor-Treasurer Mike Lonergan, auditor Julie Anderson, Prosecuting Attorney Mary Robnett, and Sheriff Ed Troyer . The Pierce County Council
312-499: A rich and complex habitat for fish and other animals. In addition, the river's mouth at Commencement Bay occupied an extensive tidal flat and wetland estuary delta. Urbanization and an extensive system of flood control structures such as dams, levees, and culverts, have radically altered much of the Puyallup River and its tributaries. The estuary delta at the mouth of the Puyallup River has been almost completely replaced with
364-717: Is elected to serve a four-year term. Beneath the Washington Supreme Court and the Washington Court of Appeals , judicial power rests first in the Pierce County Superior Court, which is divided into 23 departments - each headed by an elected judge, as well as a clerk of the superior court and nine superior court commissioners. Below that is the Pierce County District Court - with eight elected judges,
416-555: Is estimated at $ 29,709,541. The Port of Tacoma is the sixth busiest container port in North America and one of the 25 busiest in the world, playing an important part in the local economy. This deep-water port covers 2,400 acres (9.7 km ) and offers a combination of facilities and services including 34 deepwater berths, two million square feet (190,000 m ) of warehouse and office space, and 131 acres (530,000 m ) of industrial yard. An economic impact study showed that more
468-469: Is held every September in Puyallup. The Pierce County Sheriff's Department was founded in 1853, shortly after incorporation of the county. Pierce County was noted for gangs, drugs, and criminal activity starting in the mid to late 1980s. Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood had gangs that were selling crack cocaine and gang violence. Increased police patrols and community watch programs led to reduced crime in
520-561: Is located in Pierce County. Rainier is locally called Tahoma or Takhoma, both native names for the mountain. Pierce County also contains the Clearwater Wilderness area. As of the 2020 census , there were 921,130 people, and 339,840 households, and 230,520 families in the county. The population density was 552.2 people per square mile (213.2 people/km ). There were 359,489 housing units. The racial makeup of
572-672: Is the elected legislative body for Pierce County and consists of seven members elected by district. The council is vested with all law-making power granted by its charter and by the State of Washington, sets county policy through the adoption of ordinances and resolutions, approves the annual budget and directs the use of county funds. The seven members of the County Council are elected from each of seven contiguous and equally populated districts, with each councilmember representing approximately 114,000 county residents. Each county councilmember
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#1732773208822624-745: Is the youngest in the Puget Sound region , having been formed from a series of lahars starting about 5,600 years ago. The valley's 150,000 residents are at risk from future lahars. For this reason, the United States Geological Survey has installed a lahar warning system. The Puyallup River begins in two forks, the North Puyallup River and the South Puyallup River. Both originate at glaciers on Mount Rainier. The North Puyallup River flows from
676-576: The 59th-most populous in the United States. The county seat and largest city is Tacoma . Formed out of Thurston County on December 22, 1852, by the legislature of Oregon Territory , it was named for U.S. President Franklin Pierce . Pierce County is in the Seattle metropolitan area (formally the Seattle -Tacoma- Bellevue , WA, metropolitan statistical area ). Pierce County is home to
728-851: The Cascade Christian Schools group, Life Christian School and Academy, Bellarmine, Annie Wright Schools and Charles Wright Academy. Chief Leschi Schools , affiliated with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), is in the county. The largest institutions of higher education are University of Puget Sound in Tacoma and Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland. Both are religiously affiliated private universities. Tacoma Community College in Tacoma and Pierce College in Steilacoom are public community colleges . Bates Technical College and Clover Park Technical College are public technical colleges . Central Washington University has
780-665: The Treaty of Medicine Creek was enacted between the United States and the local tribes occupying the lands of the Salish Sea . The tribes listed on the Treaty of Medicine Creek are Nisqually, Puyallup, Steilacoom, Squawskin (Squaxin Island), S'Homamish, Stehchass, T'Peeksin, Squi-aitl, and Sa-heh-wamish. The treaty was signed on December 26, 1854, by Isaac I. Stevens , governor and superintendent of Indian Affairs of Washington territory at
832-542: The volcano Mount Rainier , the tallest mountain in the Cascade Range . Its most recent recorded eruption was between 1820 and 1854. There is no imminent risk of eruption, but geologists expect that the volcano will erupt again. If this should happen, parts of Pierce County and the Puyallup Valley would be at risk from lahars , lava , or pyroclastic flows . The Mount Rainier Volcano Lahar Warning System
884-530: The 2009-2010 school year, Harrison Prep offered grades 6 through 12 only, to allow for an International Baccalaureate (Middle Years Program) . The CPSD student body is approximately 46% White, 22% Hispanic, 13% Black, 6% Asian, 3% Pacific Islander, 1% Native American, <1% Other, and 9% mixed. The median household income is $ 52,089. About 7.6% of students have a disability. Data from Washington schools indicated that black students were disciplined more often than white students. "Are you dispersing discipline across
936-604: The 28,000 jobs in Pierce County are related to the Port activities. Pierce County is home to Pierce County Airport and Tacoma Narrows Airport , both are general aviation airports. Pierce County's official transportation provider is Pierce Transit . It provides buses , paratransit, and rideshare vehicles. The regional Sound Transit runs the Tacoma Link light rail line through downtown Tacoma , and provides several regional express buses. Sound Transit also runs Sounder,
988-466: The Puyallup River. These rights were ignored for decades until Bob Satiacum was arrested in 1954 for fishing illegally on the river. His legal case continued for years and resulted in the 1974 Boldt Decision , which granted half of all fishing rights in Washington state to native tribes. The Puyallup tribe continues to maintain several buildings and properties on reservation lands near the mouth of
1040-482: The Puyallup from the east. Below the Mowich confluence, the Puyallup River flows through a rugged region of mountains and foothills. The river is dammed at Electron Diversion Dam shortly below the Mowich confluence. The dam diverts a portion of the Puyallup River into a long flume , which runs for several miles to Electron, where the water is passed through turbines in a hydroelectric powerhouse before being returned to
1092-843: The Tacoma Municipal Court - with three elected judges, and the Pierce County Juvenile Court. Tacoma houses the Pierce County Courthouse . The people of Pierce County voted on November 5, 1918, to create a Port District. The Port of Tacoma is Pierce County's only Port District. It is governed Port of Tacoma Commission - five Port Commissioners, who are elected at-large countywide and serve four-year terms. The Port of Tacoma owns six container terminals , one grain terminal and an auto import terminal; all of which are leased out to foreign and domestic corporations to operate. In addition,
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#17327732088221144-626: The White River, have been subjected to major modifications during the 20th century. The Puyallup River between Sumner and its mouth at Tacoma was straightened . A diversion dam was built at Game Farm Park in 1914 to prevent the White River from flowing on its natural course into the Green River at Auburn; since then it has flowed into the Puyallup River instead of the Green River. Flood protection structures were built along many rivers in
1196-406: The age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.6% were non-families, and 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age was 35.9 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 57,869 and the median income for
1248-460: The area that would eventually develop into Tacoma, while Nisqually settlements were primarily located in what is now southern Pierce County. The tribes had two main routes: a northern path traversing Naches Pass and a southern route following the Mashel River, which connected them to Eastern Washington tribes. Trade networks among the region's indigenous peoples were well-established long before
1300-619: The arrival of white settlers. In 1792 British Captain George Vancouver and his party of explorers came via ship to the shores of the region, and named a number of sites in what would become Pierce County, i.e. Mt. Rainier . In 1832 Fort Nisqually was sited by the British Hudson's Bay Company 's chief trader, Archibald McDonald . It was the first permanent European settlement on the Salish Sea. In cooperation with
1352-507: The basin, including extensive levees . A flood storage reservoir, Mud Mountain Lake, was created on the White River with the construction of Mud Mountain Dam . As part of the flood control efforts, river channels and embankments have been generally kept clear of debris such as gravel bars, large trees, logjams, and other woody debris. These modifications have radically altered the natural character of
1404-478: The beginning of the Puget Sound War in 1855 - initiate a search for Chief Leschi in order to arrest him. Chief Leschi was eventually captured and put on trial. The first jury couldn't come to a verdict, so Isaac Stevens had the trial done a second time. This time Leschi was found guilty. Chief Leschi was hanged on February 19, 1858. On December 10, 2004, a historical court convened in Pierce County ruled "as
1456-431: The county was 73.1% White, 8.0% African American, 1.8% Native American, 7.4% Asian, 1.8% Pacific Islander, and 7.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 12.2% of the population. 23.2% of the population was under 18, and 6.1% of people were under 5. 14.4% of people were over 65. The gender ratio was 49.8% female and 50.2% male. The average household size was 2.65 people. The median income for
1508-427: The county was 74.2% white, 6.8% black or African American, 6.0% Asian, 1.4% Native American, 1.3% Pacific islander, 3.5% from other races, and 6.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 9.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.5% were German , 13.1% were Irish , 10.7% were English , 6.3% were Norwegian , and 4.2% were American . Of the 299,918 households, 35.3% had children under
1560-429: The district live on a military base while 40% are funded military dependents. From 1985 to 2011, there have been 90 appointments to military academies from CPSD. Pierce County, Washington Pierce County is a county in the U.S. state of Washington . As of the 2020 census , the population was 921,130, up from 795,225 in 2010, making it the second-most populous county in Washington, behind King County , and
1612-535: The ethnicities, the racial groups, equitably", asked a district superintendent, "are you disciplining African-American boys more than you're disciplining white boys?" There has been a significant military influence within the district due to its proximity to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Each of its two senior high schools are home to two Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) programs. Clover Park High School has an Air Force JROTC program, and Lakes High School has an Army JROTC program. About 31% of students within
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1664-447: The facilities of the Port of Tacoma, with less than 5% of the original estuarine habitat remaining. A fall run of chinook salmon occurs on the river. coho , chum , and pink salmon are also found in the river, along with steelhead , sea-run coastal cutthroat trout , and a threatened species, bull trout . Sockeye salmon are considered indigenous to the basin, but are rarely seen today. The Puyallup River and its main tributary,
1716-577: The interpretation of land use regulations as well as the promotion of local produce. The creation of the Pierce County Farm Advisory Commission will attempt to save the remaining 48,000 acres of Pierce County farmland. Despite the loss of farmland, Pierce County continues to produce about 50% of the United States' rhubarb . The following is a list of the public school districts in Pierce County, including those that overlap with other counties: Private schools include
1768-452: The library system serves all of unincorporated Pierce County, as well as annexed cities and towns of: Bonney Lake, Buckley, DuPont, Eatonville, Edgewood, Fife, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, Milton, Orting, South Prairie, Steilacoom, Sumner, University Place and Wilkeson. There are currently more than 1 million physical materials (books, videos, etc.) in the system, and more than 480,000 online or downloadable media items. Total 2016 general fund revenue
1820-551: The local arts community. ArtsFund, a regional United Arts Fund, has assisted the arts community in Pierce County. In 2012, LeMay-America's Car Museum opened its doors in Tacoma. Additionally, the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum , houses a large collection of original manuscripts and documents. The Pierce County Daffodil Festival and Parade is held annually in April. The Washington State Fair
1872-739: The local indigenous people, a storehouse for blankets, seeds, and potatoes was built at the mouth of Sequalitchew Creek . In 1839 the Nisqually Methodist Episcopal Mission was established, bringing the first U.S. citizens to settle in the Puget Sound region, near the Sequalitchew Creek canyon. In 1841 the United States Exploring Expedition set up an observatory on the bluff near the creek to survey, map and chart
1924-720: The majority of Lakewood, North Fort Lewis , the Joint Base Lewis-McChord community (the district boundary includes almost all of the boundary of Fort Lewis and much of the McChord Field territory), and portions of Parkland and Tacoma . Clover Park is composed of 17 elementary schools, four middle schools, two high schools, one alternative high school and Harrison Preparatory School (grades 6-12). The district also serves two specialty schools within Western State Hospital . Starting with
1976-584: The mid to late 2000s. As of 2006, 38% of the methamphetamine labs (138 sites) cleaned up by the Washington State Department of Ecology were in Pierce County. This reduction from a high of 589 labs in 2001 comes in part to a new law restricting the sale of pseudoephedrine and in part due to tougher prison sentences for methamphetamine producers. 47°03′N 122°07′W / 47.05°N 122.11°W / 47.05; -122.11 Puyallup River The river's watershed
2028-517: The port owns and operates two breakbulk cargo terminals. Many charter amendments have been on the ballot in the last five years, but sequential numbering does not carry over from year-to-year. Pierce County is split between three U.S. congressional districts: The largest public employer in Pierce County is Joint Base Lewis–McChord , which contributes about 60,000 military and civilian jobs. The largest private employers are MultiCare Health System and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health , which operate
2080-555: The regional commuter railroad through Pierce County that stops in the following places: Sumner , Puyallup , Tacoma , South Tacoma, and Lakewood . Amtrak also travels through the county with a stop in Tacoma . Also, Intercity Transit provides transportation between Lakewood and Thurston County . On December 18, 2017, an Amtrak train derailed in the county, at an overpass over southbound Interstate 5, hitting several vehicles. Thirteen of 14 rail cars derailed, killing three on board
2132-676: The river is joined by the White River , another glacier-fed river. At the White River confluence, the Puyallup River turns northwest, flowing by the cities of Puyallup and Fife , and through the Puyallup Indian Reservation , before emptying into Commencement Bay at the Port of Tacoma , part of the city of Tacoma . The Puyallup River and its main tributaries originate in the glaciers of Mount Rainier. These glaciers continually provide sediment such as silt and gravel to
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2184-600: The river. The Puyallup River passes through a steep and narrow gorge between Electron Dam and the powerhouse. After Electron the river turns north and flows by the city of Orting , where it is joined by the Carbon River from the east. Like the Mowich, the Carbon River also originates at a glacier on Mount Rainier (the Carbon Glacier ). The Puyallup continues its northernly course after Orting. At Sumner ,
2236-534: The river. They are stakeholders in many issues about the river, such as the amount of water diverted at Electron Diversion Dam. The first known European to explore the Puyallup River valley was William Fraser Tolmie , who in August 1833 made a journey to the Mount Rainier area via the Puyallup and Mowich river valleys. Two Native American guides accompanied Tolmie, Lachalet, a Nisqually Indian, and Nuckalkat,
2288-573: The rivers, creating sand and gravel bars. The thick sediment deposits in the stream beds lower water capacity, which causes the river to meander and flood during periods of high streamflow. It also causes the rivers to become braided and meandering . During the summer glacial meltwater dominates the streamflow, turning the Puyallup River turbid . In addition, the glaciers delay the onset of spring-summer runoff , compared to unglaciated river basins. Historically, these factors resulted in frequent flooding and extensive floodplain wetlands , and provided
2340-581: The rivers. River widths have been generally reduced. Water now fills nearly all of the land between river banks, instead of the historic pattern of braided meanders and wetlands. The river is named for the Puyallup tribe , who lived throughout the river basin. After the Treaty of Medicine Creek and the Puget Sound War the Puyallup were granted a reservation on the lower Puyallup River. The Treaty of Medicine Creek recognized native fishing rights on
2392-500: The time. The native tribes were told the treaty would help them by paying them for some of the land. It ended up taking prime farmland and relocating the tribes onto rough reservations. Chief Leschi of the Nisqually tribe protested the treaty. He and his people marched to Olympia to have their voices heard but Isaac Stevens ordered them away. When the natives refused to leave, Isaac Stevens would eventually call martial law and - after
2444-406: The toe of Puyallup Glacier , while the South Puyallup River flows from Tahoma Glacier . The two streams flow through the western part of Mount Rainier National Park , joining just outside the park boundary and forming the Puyallup River proper. The main Puyallup River flows north and northwest from Mount Rainier. The tributary Mowich River , which also flows from glaciers on Mount Rainier, joins
2496-743: The train, and injuring dozens more on board and on the highway. Pierce County is home to a diverse array of arts organizations, including the Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Grand Cinema, Lakewood Playhouse, Museum of Glass, Northwest Sinfonietta, Speakeasy Arts Cooperative, Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma Little Theater, Tacoma Concert Band, Tacoma Musical Playhouse, Tacoma Opera, Symphony Tacoma, Dance Theater Northwest, Washington State History Museum , and others. The city of Tacoma hosts an annual event called "Art at Work" month every November, promoting participation in and support for
2548-434: The two largest hospitals in the county. Pierce County agriculture has been an instrumental part of the local economy for almost 150 years. However, in the last half-century, much of the county's farmland has been transformed into residential areas. Pierce County has taken aggressive steps to reverse this trend; the county recently created the Pierce County Farm Advisory Commission. This advisory board helps local farmers with
2600-557: The waters of Puget Sound. In 1843 the Second Fort Nisqually was erected. Business became mainly agricultural, and the fort was relocated on a flat-plains area near the banks of Sequalitchew Creek for cattle. The Fort Nisqually property was turned over to American control in 1859. In 1846 the Oregon Treaty established the 49th Parallel as the boundary between British Canada and the United States, which left what
2652-560: Was established in 1998 to assist in the evacuation of the Puyallup River valley in case of eruption. According to the United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,806 square miles (4,680 km ), of which 1,670 square miles (4,300 km ) is land and 137 square miles (350 km ) (7.6%) is water. The highest natural point in Washington, Mount Rainier , at 14,410 feet (4,390 m),
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#17327732088222704-630: Was to become Pierce County on U.S. territory. In response to increasing tensions between Indians and settlers, the United States Army established Fort Steilacoom in 1849 at the site of the traditional home of the Steilacoom Tribe. In 1850, Captain Lafayette Balch sited his land claim next to the fort and founded Port Steilacoom. In 1854 the town of Steilacoom became Washington Territory's first incorporated town. In 1854
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