49-515: The Klesilkwa River is a tributary of the Skagit River , flowing east to join that river to the west of Shawatum Mountain after arising near Klesilkwa Mountain , on the east flank of Chilliwack Lake . 49°07′00″N 121°10′00″W / 49.11667°N 121.16667°W / 49.11667; -121.16667 This article about a river in the Coast of British Columbia , Canada
98-509: A male householder with no wife present, and 39.3% were non-families. 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age in the town was 40.4 years. 26.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.4% were from 25 to 44; 32.9% were from 45 to 64; and 12.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of
147-612: A month. The years 1909, 1917, and 1921 are the other annual peak discharges of record for the gauging station at Concrete which is at the confluence of the Baker and Skagit Rivers. November 2017 brought significant flooding to the lower river at Mt. Vernon and Lyman . In 1978, the United States Congress established the Skagit Wild and Scenic River System . The system includes 158.5 miles (255.1 km) of
196-407: A village at the tip of the delta which they called Skagit City . The massive logjam was found about 10 miles (16 km) upstream from the mouth of the river. Attempts to remove it began in 1874 by a team of loggers, who salvaged the logs. After three years of work, a 5-acre (20,000 m ) section of the jam broke free and scattered downriver. Soon thereafter the river became navigable. Mount Vernon
245-515: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Skagit River The Skagit River ( / ˈ s k æ dʒ ɪ t / SKAJ -it ) is a river in southwestern British Columbia in Canada and northwestern Washington in the United States, approximately 150 mi (240 km) long. The river and its tributaries drain an area of 1.7 million acres (690,000 hectares) of
294-629: Is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km ) is water. The town lies mostly on the north bank of the Skagit River , and is split into half by the lower Baker River (a tributary to the Skagit River). Mount Baker , a stratovolcano , lies northwest of Concrete and Mount Shuksan lies almost directly north. Both peaks are part of the North Cascades range. The town has a warm summer Mediterranean climate ( Csb ) with cool winters and warm, mostly dry summers. Precipitation mostly comes in
343-493: Is listed on the Washington Heritage Register Over the decades, the theatre changed hands many times but retained its original layout as a one-screen movie theatre. In 2009, it was purchased by new owners and refurbished. The venue now seats 130, has a full stage and dance floor, and a refurbished balcony that seats 8. In 2012, the community helped raise funds to purchase a digital projector to keep
392-581: Is made up of high peaks and low valleys. The highest points in the basin are two volcanoes : Mount Baker , elevation 10,781 feet (3,286 m), and Glacier Peak, elevation 10,541 feet (3,213 m). Most of the basin lies above 2,000 feet (610 m). The river completes its course at sea level where it meets the Puget Sound. The river takes its name from the Skagit tribe, a name used by Europeans and Americans for two distinct Native American peoples,
441-463: Is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest . The Skagit River Hydroelectric Project is a group of three major dams, constructed in the 1920s and 1930s, which are a primary source of hydroelectric power for Seattle and other area communities. The Skagit River Railway was constructed by the city of Seattle to transport workers and construction materials for
490-576: Is returned to the river as it passes Newhalem , a company town for Seattle City Light . Copper and Bacon creeks, both flowing from North Cascades National Park , merge into the Skagit from the right as it meanders slowly through an agricultural valley, past Marblemount , where the Cascade River joins from the left, and Rockport , where it receives its major tributary, the Sauk River , from
539-507: Is that the upper Skagit once drained northward into Canada and the growth and retreat of successive Cordilleran ice flows brought about the reversal. Each advance blocked the river, forcing it to find new routes to the south, in the process carving deep gorges. Eventually, the Skagit gorge was so deep that even after the Cordilleran ice retreated for good, the river continued flowing south instead of north into Canada. The Skagit watershed
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#1732776548631588-562: The Cascade Range along the northern end of Puget Sound and flows into the sound. The Skagit watershed is characterized by a temperate, mid-latitude, maritime climate. Temperatures range widely throughout the watershed. Recorded temperatures at Newhalem range from a low of −6 °F (−21 °C) to a high of 109 °F (43 °C), with greater extremes likely in the mountains. The highest temperatures are commonly recorded in July;
637-659: The Lushootseed language, a branch of the Salishan family. The Upper Skagit tribe occupied the land along the Skagit from what is now Newhalem to the mouth of the river at Puget Sound. The Lower Skagit tribe lived on northern Whidbey Island and have come to be known also as the Whidbey Island Skagit. Archaeological evidence reveals that these peoples collected their food from the natural resources, through fishing, hunting, and gathering. The upper Skagit area
686-548: The Upper Skagit and Lower Skagit . Native people have lived along the Skagit for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence indicates that ancestors of the Upper Skagit tribe lived in the area now called Ross Lake National Recreation Area at least 8,000 years ago. They quarried chert from Hozomeen Mountain to make blades, which were used across a wide trading area. Both tribes traditionally spoke dialects of
735-466: The salmon run is plentiful, as many as 600 to 800 eagles are attracted to the river. Thousands of snow geese winter in the Skagit River estuary . These geese feed on intertidal marsh plants such as bulrush and they are drawn to nearby farmlands where they find leftover potatoes in the fields. Trumpeter swans are drawn to the estuary habitat as well. There can be several hundred swans in
784-635: The 1860s, they have had a reserve there.) Custer documented this encounter and the accuracy of the chief's map in his Report of Henry Custer, Assistant of Reconnaissances, Made in 1859 over the routes in the Cascades Mountains in the vicinity of the 49th parallel , now in the collection of the National Park Service . Settlement along the river by European Americans in the late 1800s was inhibited by two ancient logjams that blocked navigation upriver. The settlers first established
833-696: The Northwest 1B/2B league under the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association . Concrete's Future Business Leaders of America was the fastest growing in the state during the 2012-13 school year. Located in the heart of Concrete Town Center on Main Street, the Concrete Herald Building was originally built in 1918 as a Model T Ford garage complete with a gas-station out front. When
882-590: The Scottish immigrant, local settler, and Skagit County Commissioner who promoted its construction. The naming occurred after Henry Thompson was killed by a logging train in 1918. At the time, its graceful arch was the longest single-span reinforced concrete bridge in the world or perhaps just in the West and has been listed on the Washington State and National Historic Register since 1976. Until 1972, when
931-505: The Skagit and its tributaries — the Sauk, Suiattle, and Cascade rivers. This Wild and Scenic designation is meant to protect and enhance the values that caused it to be listed: The Skagit Wild and Scenic River System flows through both public and private lands. Fifty percent of the system is in private ownership, 44 percent is National Forest System land, and 6 percent is owned by the state and other agencies. The Skagit Wild and Scenic River
980-468: The Skagit valley from October to February. Historically, the Skagit tidal estuary had beaver dams in the myrtle zone. These were overtopped at high tide, but at low tide their ponds nurtured juvenile salmon. The Skagit River basin provides habitat for a diverse set of animals. For more information about these animals, see List of Wildlife of the Skagit River Basin . The Skagit River
1029-647: The Washington State Department of Transportation re-routed Highway 20 (then known as Star Route 20) outside the town, the Thompson Bridge was the only connecting thoroughfare across the Baker River and into eastern Skagit County. The bridge was originally designed by Bowerman and McCloy Consulting Engineers and built by J.R. Wood Contractors (both of Seattle ). It underwent a complete rehabilitation in 2003-2004. The engineer for
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#17327765486311078-404: The average family size was 3.19. In the town, the population was spread out, with 34.1% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.4 males. The median income for a household in the town
1127-533: The best use of the property, South Superior Avenue passes beneath the building. The building replaced the previous high school building in the center of town. The hallways and the wood shop were used during the filming of the Michael Caton-Jones film, This Boy's Life in 1993. Concrete High School's school colors are purple and gold and their team mascot is the Lion. CHS's sports teams participate in
1176-690: The building of the Washington Portland Cement Company and was named "Cement City." After the Superior Portland Cement Company plant was built in Baker in 1908, it was decided to merge the two towns. Inhabitants of the new community settled on the name "Concrete" and the town was so christened and officially incorporated on May 8, 1909. Concrete is home to a number of historic buildings and engineering milestones. Built in 1916–1918 and so named for
1225-399: The building remained the home for the weekly. When the building and newspaper were sold in 1990, the facility became a printing shop until the current owners turned the first floor into a liquor store franchise through the state liquor control board . The Concrete Herald Building has remained a liquor store to this date. As for Concrete Herald , Concrete Mayor Jason Miller has given rebirth to
1274-497: The building was later converted to be the Brommer Logging facility, a large apartment was added to the upper story. It was shortly after this that Concrete Herald owner and editor Charles M. "Chuck" Dwelley took over the building and made it into a modern printing facility and new home of The Concrete Herald (established in 1910). When Robert and June Fader purchased the newspaper upon Dwelley's retirement in late 1970,
1323-670: The building was no longer used as a schoolhouse, it was moved to its present location on West Main Street, next to the current post office . In its present location, the building has served alternately as a library, senior-citizen center, the city's current town hall with a satellite office for the Skagit County Sheriff's Department. Originally built in 1923, the stage of the Concrete Theatre has entertained audiences with vaudeville, boxing matches, silent films and later what were known as "the talkies". The building
1372-651: The dams. The river today is a popular destination for whitewater rafting and fly fishing . Tributaries in Canada Tributaries in the US Concrete, Washington Concrete is a town in north-central Skagit County , Washington , United States. It is part of the Mount Vernon - Anacortes , Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area , and had a population of 801 at the 2020 census . The town of Concrete has undergone several incarnations,
1421-402: The earliest being a settlement at the northwestern junction of the Baker and Skagit Rivers, known as "Minnehaha." Amasa "Peg-Leg" Everett was one of the earliest settlers and in 1890, the townsite was platted by another settler, Magnus Miller. Shortly thereafter, a post office was established and the town name changed to "Baker." In 1905, a settlement across the Baker River came into being due to
1470-457: The form of rain in Concrete but occasional snow can be seen with about 20 inches falling per year. As of the 2010 census , there were 705 people, 295 households, and 179 families residing in the town. The population density was 577.9 inhabitants per square mile (223.1/km ). There were 358 housing units at an average density of 293.4 per square mile (113.3/km ). The racial makeup of the town
1519-429: The future North Fork Stillaguamish River until eruptions of Glacier Peak choked the rivers with debris, causing the formation of an alluvial fan near present-day Darrington, Washington . The debris forced the two rivers north to join the Skagit. Above Newhalem, Washington, the Skagit flows through a deep gorge, contrasting strongly with the glacial valley below Newhalem. One of the several theories about this anomaly
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1568-456: The largest wintering bald eagle populations in the contiguous United States. The eagles feed on Chum and Coho salmon that have returned to spawn in the Skagit and its tributaries. The eagles arrive in late October or early November and stay into February. The highest number of eagles is usually seen in January. These eagles come from inland Canada and as far away as Alaska and Montana . When
1617-595: The left. After receiving the Sauk River, the Skagit turns west, flowing past Concrete and receiving the Baker River , its second-largest tributary, from the right. The river continues to flow west, past Sedro-Woolley , Burlington and then Mount Vernon . It is crossed by Interstate 5 , a major national highway, between Burlington and Mount Vernon; the four-lane bridge over the Skagit River collapsed in May 2013 and
1666-498: The left. Spilling out of the dam the river enters Diablo Lake, formed by Diablo Dam , and receives Thunder and Colonial creeks from the left, before it enters the third and final reservoir, Gorge Lake, formed by Gorge Dam . All three dams are part of the Skagit River Hydroelectric Project . Past Gorge Dam, the river is often dry, as its waters have been diverted to generate hydroelectricity . Water
1715-603: The lowest are in January. The Skagit River rises at Allison Pass in the Canadian Cascades of British Columbia . From there it flows northwest along the Crowsnest Highway , which follows the river into Manning Provincial Park . It turns abruptly south, where it receives Snass Creek from the right, then enters Skagit Valley Provincial Park at the point where it receives the Sumallo River from
1764-490: The newspaper after purchasing the Upriver Community News from another local resident. As of May 6, 2009, Concrete Herald began a monthly publication schedule. The newspaper is sold in various locations throughout Skagit County . Originally built in 1908 as a grade-school, this wooden, clapboard building was originally located on Main Street across from the bank where classes were taught until 1910. When
1813-405: The population. There were 300 households, out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 14.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.7% were non-families. 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and
1862-415: The rehabilitation was Entranco, Inc. of Bellevue (who has since been acquired by AECOM ) and the contractor for the rehabilitation was One Way Construction of Sedro-Woolley . Concrete High School was built in 1952. Constructed with the typical and necessary scholastic appointments and one visible and unusual difference: the central portion of the building was built over the road leading to it. To make
1911-529: The right. It receives the Klesilkwa River from the right, and turns southeast to flow into Ross Lake , where it crosses the Canada–United States border and into Washington state. Ross Lake is formed by Ross Dam and is approximately 24 miles (39 km) long, winding south through Ross Lake National Recreation Area . Here the river receives Beaver Creek from the right and Ruby Creek from
1960-479: The theatre alive. In 2021, the Concrete Theatre expanded by purchasing the building next door. Originally the Monrad Grocery built in 1915, the expanded space now features an ice cream parlor, as well as the theatre box office and an additional meeting/screening room. At the time Lower Baker Dam was completed in 1925 and two years later raised to 293 feet (89 m), it was the highest hydroelectric dam in
2009-490: The time. Custer later talked about the area with an elder Samona chief named Chinsoloc who had lived there at one time; he drew a detailed map from memory, which the topographer found to be accurate. (Note: It is unclear what tribe this refers to; there is no local tribe called Samona. The Skeetchestn Indian Band , of the Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation, were located in the area of present-day Savona, British Columbia . Since
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2058-496: The town of Concrete and the surrounding area and a number of local residents were used as extras. In order to fit the "look" of 1950s-era Concrete, the town itself was transformed back in time "Hollywood style" for the weeks that filming took place in 1992. According to the United States Census Bureau , the town has a total area of 1.24 square miles (3.21 km ), of which, 1.22 square miles (3.16 km )
2107-506: The town was 51.2% male and 48.8% female. As of the 2000 census , there were 790 people, 300 households, and 198 families residing in the town. The population density was 650.3 people per square mile (252.1/km ). There were 335 housing units at an average density of 275.8 per square mile (106.9/km ). The racial makeup of the town was 92.78% White , 2.53% Native American , 0.89% Asian , 1.14% from other races , and 2.66% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.66% of
2156-568: The world. It is currently owned, operated, and maintained by Puget Sound Energy . Author Tobias Wolff spent a large part of his teenage years in the Concrete area. Wolff's memoir This Boy's Life chronicles his early life living in eastern Skagit County and attending Concrete High School (referred to as "Chinook High School" in the novel). In 1993, the novel was also turned into a feature film starring Leonardo DiCaprio , Robert De Niro , and Ellen Barkin . The movie's exterior scenes of Concrete (as well as some interior scenes) were filmed in
2205-434: Was 91.5% White , 0.3% African American , 2.0% Native American , 0.4% Asian , 1.1% Pacific Islander , 1.6% from other races , and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.5% of the population. There were 295 households, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.0% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had
2254-590: Was first described in writing in 1859 by Henry Custer , the American topographer for the US Boundary Commission. With two other American government men and ten locals from the Nooksack and Chilliwack bands, he canoed and portaged from the Canada–United States border down to Ruby Creek, a tributary of the upper Skagit River. The party found no native people inhabiting the Upper Skagit area at
2303-403: Was founded at the approximate site of this logjam. In November 1897, the Skagit River flooded severely; in the aftermath as the floodwaters receded, two new logjams formed and blocked navigation. The largest was near the mouth, and filled the river from bank to bank for about 800 yards (730 m). Using a recently built logjam removal boat named Skagit , teams finally cleared this jam in about
2352-578: Was highly influenced by the repeated advance and retreat of the Puget Lobe of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet . Ice and gravel moraines repeatedly blocked the Skagit, causing it to pool into lakes and forcing it to drain south into the future North Fork Stillaguamish River . After the ice retreated the Skagit breached the moraine dam near Concrete, Washington, finding its present course. The Sauk River and Suiattle River continued to drain into
2401-665: Was reopened a month later. At the former site of Skagit City , the Skagit River diverges into two forks, a north and south fork. Fir Island lies between the forks in the 90,000-acre (36,000 ha) floodplain. These two forks both empty into Skagit Bay , a branch of Puget Sound . The Skagit provides spawning habitat for salmon . It is the only large river system in Washington that contains healthy populations of all five native salmon species – chinook , coho , chum , pink , and sockeye – and two species of trout : steelhead and coastal cutthroat . The river supports one of
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