The Thunder Creek Bank Stabilization project was implemented on approximately 1.5 acres of land adjacent to Thunder Creek. The Thunder Creek project is located approximately 7 miles north of Sedro-Wooley along SR-9. The objective of the project was to 1) Stop erosion of the adjacent pasture by Thunder Creek 2) Stabilize the bank along the creek to encourage it to head north rather than south with the installation of large woody debris (LWD) 3) Exclude livestock from entering the creek with fencing 4) Restore riparian habitat along both sides of the creek with the removal of invasive species and the planting of new native ones.

Restoration and fencing work occurred along 1,110 linear feet of Thunder Creek on approximately 1.5 acres. A total of 278 feet of fencing was installed. This was a unique case in that the landowner requested a fence-type outside the allowable budget for this project. The Natural Resource Stewardship Program purchased the juniper poles while the landowner dug the holes for them and purchased the cross-fencing. Skagit Fisheries then installed the fence, allowing the landowner to receive the type of fencing they desired for their horses while working within the allowable budget for the project.

The project included 275 native tree and shrub plantings including, but not limited to: western red cedar, Douglas-fir, twinberry, nootka rose, pacific ninebark, Indian plum and sword fern. The project also included the removal of the invasive English Ivy and some Himalayan blackberry.

Final designs and permit documents were developed for this project as part a Department of Ecology grant (WA120309-3). The Thunder Creek Bank Stabilization design project was lead by Skagit County Public Works (SCPW) in partnership with Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group (SFEG) with the goal of design and permitting restoration actions to improve riparian habitat. This project was part of the Natural Resouce Stewardship Program.