Big Lake Wetlands - Skagit Land Trust

[48.36267,-122.2154]

Property Type: Trust-Owned
Date Added: 2016

Big Lake
68.8 acres
Open to the Public

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Conservation Story

Skagit Land Trust’s (SLT) Big Lake Wetlands Conservation Area protects 68 acres, including the last remaining natural shoreline on Big Lake in Mount Vernon.

Funds to purchase and restore this Conservation Area were provided by several sources:

Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant, coordinated by the Skagit Watershed Council
North Americans Wetlands Conservation Act grant, appropriated through the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Environmental Protection Agency grant, appropriated through the Washington Department of Ecology
Donations from the Big Lake Community

Site History and Ecology

The Big Lake Wetlands Conservation Area protects some of the largest remaining wetlands in the Nookachamps watershed, formed where Lake Creek enters Big Lake. The Conservation Area plays an important role by preserving land for standing surface water, water filtration and habitat, as well as serving as a critical recharge zone for groundwater. The water levels of Big Lake fluctuate seasonally.

The combination of extensive wetlands, abundant native vegetation, and the numerous braided creeks running through the Conservation Area, provide breeding and feeding areas for numerous migratory and resident birds and waterfowl species.

The wetland area provides habitat for several species listed under the Endangered Species Act in Washington State including bull trout, cutthroat trout, coho salmon, and rainbow trout.

The Conservation Area is surrounded by agricultural and rural residential lands, with forest lands to the east and west. The community of Big Lake lies to the north, and development surrounds the majority of Big Lake. Historical aerial photography suggests that the property that comprises the Big Lake Wetlands Conservation Area has never been developed, beyond a small boardwalk that has since been removed.

Amphibian Monitoring

A large portion of the wetland is classified as an at-risk ecosystem in Washington State. In 2014, Skagit Land Trust began a citizen science program monitoring the concentration and diversity of amphibians at several properties with wetland habitat. Amphibian monitoring in Big Lake Wetlands began in 2017.

Access

Skagit Land Trust only allows limited low-impact public access. Currently there are no developed access points; accessing the Conservation Area by foot is challenging due to thick vegetation and deep channels and pools. It is possible to visit the Conservation Area’s shoreline via boat.

Big Lake Wetlands Conservation Area is located south of the community of Big Lake in the Nookachamps watershed. The property is immediately surrounded by agricultural and rural residential lands, with forest lands to the east and west. The community of Big Lake lies to the north, and development surrounds the majority of Big Lake. Historical aerial photography suggests the property that comprises the Big Lake Wetlands Conservation Area has never been developed, beyond a small boardwalk that has since been removed.

How to Get There

The nearest boat launch is the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife boat launch at the midpoint of Big Lake, along Big Lake Road. There is no road access to Big Lake Wetlands Conservation Area.