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The Skagit River (pronounced ) 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 (6900 km²) of the Cascade Range along the northern end of Puget Sound. The Skagit is one of the major rivers of the Pacific Northwest. 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, the lowest in January.
Course The river rises in the Cascade Mountains of British Columbia, east of Chilliwack. It flows southwest through Skagit Valley Provincial Park. It crosses the border into eastern Whatcom County, Washington, where it is impounded to form the 24 mi/39 km long Ross Lake reservoir in the Ross Lake National Recreation Area, between the two units of North Cascades National Park. It flows west past Rockport and Sedro Woolley, then briefly south near the coast past Mount Vernon. It enters the eastern end of Skagit Bay on Puget Sound approximately 10 mi (16 km) south of Mount Vernon. It receives the Sauk River from the south near Rockport. It receives the Baker River from the north near Concrete. Natural History
Geology
History The river takes its name from the Skagit tribe, a Native American people. Native people have lived along the Skagit for many centuries. Archaeological evidence indicates that the Upper Skagit tribe lived in the area now called Ross Lake National Recreation Area at least 8,000 years ago. The Upper Skagit tribe occupied the land along the Skagit from what is now Newhalem to the mouth of the river. The Lower Thompson tribe lived along the river from above the Newhalem gorge into British Columbia. Archaeological evidence reveals that these people lived from the land through fishing, hunting, and gathering. Economy 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 Valley Railroad was constructed by the city of Seattle to transport workers on the dams. The river today is a popular destination for whitewater rafting and fly fishing. Tributaries Cities and Towns along the Skagit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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