Sammamish River

Sammamish River
Name	Sammamish River
Caption	The Lake Washington watershed, which includes the Sammamish River
Length	14 miles (23 km)
Mouth	Lake Washington
Basin	Puget Sound

Sammamish River. The Sammamish River is a river located in King County, Washington, and is a major tributary of Lake Washington, which is connected to Puget Sound by the Lake Washington Ship Canal. The river flows through the City of Redmond, City of Woodinville, and City of Bothell, and is an important part of the Lake Washington watershed, which also includes the Cedar River (Washington), Duwamish River, and Issaquah Creek. The Sammamish River is also near the University of Washington, Seattle University, and Cascadia College.

Geography

The Sammamish River is situated in the Puget Sound lowlands and flows through a valley surrounded by the Cascade Range to the east and the Olympic Mountains to the west. The river is approximately 14 miles (23 km) long and flows through the Sammamish Valley, which is a glacial valley carved out by the Vashon glacier during the Pleistocene epoch. The Sammamish River is also near the Mount Si and Mount Teneriffe peaks, and flows through the City of Redmond, which is home to Microsoft and Amazon. The river is also close to the Bellevue College and Lake Washington Institute of Technology.

Hydrology

The Sammamish River is a perennial stream that flows year-round, and its flow is influenced by the precipitation and snowmelt from the surrounding mountains, including the Cascade Range and the Olympic Mountains. The river's flow is also affected by the tides of Puget Sound and the Lake Washington Ship Canal, which connects Lake Washington to Puget Sound. The Sammamish River is also fed by several tributaries, including the Bear Creek (Washington), Cottage Lake Creek, and North Creek (Washington), which are all part of the Lake Washington watershed. The river's hydrology is also studied by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the University of Washington.

History

The Sammamish River has been an important part of the region's history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Native American tribes, including the Duwamish tribe and the Snoqualmie tribe. The river was also an important transportation route for the fur trade and the logging industry during the 19th century, with the Hudson's Bay Company and the Weyerhaeuser company operating in the area. The Sammamish River was also the site of several sawmills and shingle mills, including the Redmond Sawmill and the Woodinville Shingle Mill. The river's history is also preserved by the King County Historical Society, the Redmond Historical Society, and the Woodinville Heritage Society.

Ecology

The Sammamish River is an important habitat for several species of fish, including the Chinook salmon, Coho salmon, and Steelhead trout, which are all listed as endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The river is also home to several species of birds, including the Bald eagle, Osprey, and Great blue heron, which are all protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). The Sammamish River is also an important stopover for migratory birds, including the Western sandpiper and the Semipalmated plover, which are both protected by the Migratory Bird Conservation Act (MBCA). The river's ecology is also studied by the National Park Service (NPS), the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Recreation

The Sammamish River is a popular destination for outdoor recreation, including kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. The river is also home to several parks and trails, including the Sammamish River Trail, which is a multi-use trail that follows the river from Lake Washington to the City of Redmond. The river is also near the Marymoor Park, which is a King County park that offers picnicking, hiking, and birdwatching. The Sammamish River is also a popular destination for boating and sailing, with several marinas and boat launches along the river, including the Kenmore Marina and the Lake Washington Marina.

Course

The Sammamish River flows from the Sammamish Plateau to Lake Washington, passing through the City of Redmond, City of Woodinville, and City of Bothell. The river flows through a valley surrounded by the Cascade Range to the east and the Olympic Mountains to the west, and is joined by several tributaries, including the Bear Creek (Washington), Cottage Lake Creek, and North Creek (Washington). The river's course is also influenced by the geology of the area, including the glacial deposits and sedimentary rocks that make up the Sammamish Valley. The river's course is also studied by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the University of Washington. The Sammamish River is also near the Seattle University, Cascadia College, and the Bellevue College.

Category:Rivers of Washington (state)