The Baker River ( Lushootseed : dxʷqəlb ) is an approximately 30-mile (48 km), southward-flowing tributary of the Skagit River in northwestern Washington in the United States . It drains an area of the high North Cascades in the watershed of Puget Sound north of Seattle , and east of Mount Baker . With a watershed of approximately 270 square miles (700 km) in a complex of deep valleys partially inside North Cascades National Park , it is the last major tributary of the Skagit before the larger river reaches its mouth on Skagit Bay . The river flows through Concrete, Washington , near its mouth and has two hydroelectric dams owned by Puget Sound Energy .
19-554: The Baker River rises in the Cascade Range near Whatcom Peak , in the northern section of North Cascades National Park . It flows south, starting in the Baker River Valley north-east of Mount Shuksan . The river flows generally southwest through a steep glacial valley, receiving several short glacial-fed tributaries from surrounding mountains. Many of these tributaries harbor tall, but never officially measured waterfalls. Most of
38-698: Is a 6,613-foot (2,016-metre) mountain summit in the Skagit Range of the North Cascades , in Whatcom County of Washington state. Easy Peak is situated in North Cascades National Park , and is often climbed during the Easy Ridge approach to Mount Challenger and the remote northern Pickets . The nearest higher neighbor is Mineral Mountain , 2 mi (3.2 km) to the west, and Whatcom Peak
57-590: Is set 2.1 mi (3.4 km) to the east. Glacierets line the north slope of Easy Ridge between Easy Peak and Whatcom Peak. Precipitation runoff from this peak drains north into the Chilliwack River , or south into headwaters of the Baker River . Easy Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America . Weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean]] travel northeast toward
76-578: Is usually cloudy, but due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer. The months July through September offer the most favorable weather for viewing or climbing this peak. The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, ridges, and deep glacial valleys . Geological events occurring many years ago created
95-432: Is usually cloudy, but, due to high pressure systems over the Pacific Ocean that intensify during summer months, there is often little or no cloud cover during the summer. The North Cascades features some of the most rugged topography in the Cascade Range with craggy peaks, spires, ridges, and deep glacial valleys . Geological events occurring many years ago created the diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over
114-558: The Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been the dominant processes which have created the tall peaks and deep valleys of the North Cascades area. Easy Peak Easy Peak
133-443: The oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. During the Pleistocene period dating back over two million years ago, glaciation advancing and retreating repeatedly scoured the landscape leaving deposits of rock debris. The U-shaped cross section of the river valleys is a result of recent glaciation. Uplift and faulting in combination with glaciation have been
152-654: The Baker River flows unimpeded (except for a small weir at a fish passage station) for about a mile before emptying into the Skagit River. Most of Baker Lake is in the Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest . Upper Baker Dam is located in Whatcom County and Lower Baker Dam is located in Skagit County above the town of Concrete . Both dams are owned by Puget Sound Energy . Baker River sockeye are
171-526: The Baker are listed proceeding upstream. L and R denote left and right bank, respectively: Whatcom Peak Whatcom Peak (7,574 feet (2,309 m)) is in North Cascades National Park in the U.S. state of Washington . Whatcom Peak is .50 mi (0.80 km) north of Challenger Glacier and the Whatcom Glacier descends from the northeast slopes of the peak. An unnamed hanging glacier descends along
190-613: The Cascade Mountains. As fronts approach the North Cascades, they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range ( orographic lift ), causing them to drop their moisture in the form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Because of maritime influence , snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. During winter months, weather
209-573: The Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences. The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate , episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. In addition, small fragments of the oceanic and continental lithosphere called terranes created the North Cascades about 50 million years ago. During
SECTION 10
#1732883502788228-479: The diverse topography and drastic elevation changes over the Cascade Range leading to the various climate differences. These climate differences lead to vegetation variety defining the ecoregions in this area. The history of the formation of the Cascade Mountains dates back millions of years ago to the late Eocene Epoch. With the North American Plate overriding the Pacific Plate , episodes of volcanic igneous activity persisted. In addition, small fragments of
247-578: The form of rain or snowfall onto the Cascades. As a result, the west side of the North Cascades experiences high precipitation, especially during the winter months in the form of snowfall. Because of maritime influence , snow tends to be wet and heavy, resulting in high avalanche danger. Due to its temperate climate and proximity to the Pacific Ocean, areas west of the Cascade Crest very rarely experience temperatures below 0 °F (−18 °C) or above 80 °F (27 °C). During winter months, weather
266-707: The natural Baker Lake and surrounding valley, including the spawning grounds of the Baker River sockeye. Artificial spawning beds were constructed at the upper end of the new Baker Lake. An additional spawning beach was built on Sulfur Creek in 1990. All returning sockeye are trapped below Lower Baker Dam and transported to the artificial spawning beaches. The Baker River also supports other anadromous salmonids such as coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha), and chum (Oncorhynchus keta) salmon, winter– and summer–run steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and sea-run cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki). Tributaries of
285-512: The northwest flank of the peak. This mountain is set between Mount Challenger and Easy Peak . Whatcom Peak is located in the marine west coast climate zone of western North America. Most weather fronts originating in the Pacific Ocean travel northeast toward the Cascade Mountains . As fronts approach the North Cascades , they are forced upward by the peaks of the Cascade Range ( Orographic lift ), causing them to drop their moisture in
304-462: The only known sustaining population of Sockeye salmon in the Skagit River drainage basin. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has determined the Baker River sockeye to be genetically distinct from other sockeye salmon. As of 1992 the condition of the population was listed as "critical". In 1985 only 92 adults were found to return to the river. Since the 1990s, however, the population has recovered somewhat, in part due to improvements in
323-403: The smolt trapping and transportation system. 20,235 fish were counted in 2003 and since 2010, the numbers have been between 10,000 & 30,000 fish counted per year. The WDFW and others' models predicted a run size for Baker sockeye of 46,268 in 2015. In 2023 the Baker sockeye return was estimated at over 65,000, unexpectedly high and potentially a new record since monitoring began, and approaching
342-556: The southern half of the river is impounded in artificial lakes, both part of the Baker River Hydroelectric Project . The first reservoir is 9-mile (14 km)-long Baker Lake , impounded by Upper Baker Dam . (The lake was formerly a natural lake, until its level was raised by the 312-foot (95 m)-high dam.) Lake Shannon , impounded by Lower Baker Dam , begins immediately below Baker Lake and stretches about 7.5 miles (12.1 km) downstream. Below Lower Baker Dam
361-537: The targeted return of 100,000. Before Lower Baker Dam was built in 1925 the fish had free access to the river and natural (pre-dammed) Baker Lake. The annual sockeye run at that time was estimated to be approximately 20,000 fish. Artificial enhancement began in 1896 when the State of Washington constructed a hatchery on Baker Lake. This was the first establishment for the hatching of sockeye salmon. The hatchery closed in 1933. The construction of Upper Baker Dam in 1959 inundated
#787212