- Stillaguamish River
Infobox River
river_name = Stillaguamish River
caption = The South Fork of the Stillaguamish River nearVerlot, Washington
origin =North Cascades
mouth =Puget Sound
basin_countries = USA
length = 67 mi (108 km) (incl. North Fork)
mouth_elevation = 0 ft (0 m)
watershed = 700 mi² (1,813 km²)The Stillaguamish River is a river in northwest
Washington in theUnited States . It is mainly composed of two forks, the longer North Fork Stillaguamish (convert|45|mi|km|0) and the South Fork Stillaguamish. The two forks join near Arlington. From there the Stillaguamish River proper flows for convert|22|mi|km|0 toPuget Sound . The river's watershed drains part of theCascade Range north of Seattle.Course
The Stillaguamish River is formed from the confluence of the North and South Forks, both of which rise in the Cascades. The North Fork rises as several branches in a remote area of Skagit County near Finney Peak, approximately convert|10|mi|km|0 north of Darrington. Collecting many tributary creeks, the river flows south, then west through the foothills along the Skagit-Snohomish county line. Tributaries of the North Fork Stillaguamish River include Boulder River and Deer Creek.
The South Fork (convert|30|mi|km|0) rises near in central Snohomish County, convert|20|mi|km|0 south of Darrington, and flows west and northwest by Silverton, Verlot, and Granite Falls.
The two forks unite at Arlington in northwestern Snohomish County. The combined stream flows west, entering the north end of
Port Susan , an arm of Puget Sound, approximately convert|10|mi|km|0 west of Arlington. Between the North and South Forks there is a portion of theMount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest called the Boulder River Wilderness.Natural History
The Stillaguamish River and its tributaries are known for their salmon runs. Eight salmonid species use the streams for spawning, including chinook, coho, chum, pink, and sockeye salmon, steelhead trout, sea-run cutthroat, and bull trout.
History
Variant names for the Stillaguamish River, according to the USGS, include Tuxpam River, Stoh-luk-whahmpsh River, Stillaquamish River, Steilaguamish River, Stalukahamish River, and other similar spellings.
External links
*Gnis|1508743|Stillaguamish River
* [http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Public_Works/Divisions/SWM/Work_Areas/Habitat/Salmon/Stillaguamish/ Snohomish County, Stillaguamish Watershed]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=48.203397,-122.331390&spn=0.052932,0.116927&t=h&hl=en Google map/satellite view of the river's mouth]
* [http://blog.forrestcroce.com/the-boulder-river-wilderness/2007/10/31/ A trip report from the Stillaguamish]
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