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Lost Continent of Illahee Watershed
- Status
- Funded in 2004
Acquisition of 28.68 acres of near pristine quality habitat to sustain populations of important wildlife, old growth trees, and fish including four species of the family Salmonidae within the Illahee Creek watershed and sub-watersheds just north of Bremerton on the Kitsap Peninsula. This deeply incised channel with heavy forest cover and diverse native plant communities is impenetrable in many areas despite being in an urban growth area. The 2nd largest Pacific Yew tree in the U.S. has been found in the Illahee Forest (UW Champion Trees Program) and many 250 year-old conifers exist. It contains unperturbed wildlife habitat, is an important bird area candidate (Audubon Society), salmon refugia and nodal corridor for Coho, chum, Steelhead and cutthroat as well as critical contributing areas to downstream salmonid and estuarine habitat. The site exhibits rare habitat attributes in comparison to other western WA watersheds with potential to benefit salmonid protection and restoration. Retention of natural stream hydrology is imperative to maintaining suitable habitat for salmonids and conditions in streams in these undisturbed areas appear to be very stable. The 2002 Refugia study update by Dr. Chris May ranks Illahee as an important refuge watershed. Permanently preserving this property, at imminent risk of being developed and logged off, will provide vital rearing areas and help maintain the hydrology of the watershed central to a heavily urbanized area.
Location
From HWY 16 take Kitsap Way exit East. Follow Kitsap Way to 11th. Turn left on 11th and follow to Warren Ave. Turn left on Warren and drive overbridge, where Warren becomes Wheaton. Continue north on Wheaton to Riddell, turn right to site.
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Lost Continent of Illahee Watershed
- Acquisition of 28.68 acres of near pristine quality habitat to sustain populations of important wildlife, old growth trees, and fish including four species of the family Salmonidae within the Illahee Creek watershed and sub-watersheds just north of Bremerton on the Kitsap Peninsula. This deeply incised channel with heavy forest cover and diverse native plant communities is impenetrable in many areas despite being in an urban growth area. The 2nd largest Pacific Yew tree in the U.S. has been found in the Illahee Forest (UW Champion Trees Program) and many 250 year-old conifers exist. It contains unperturbed wildlife habitat, is an important bird area candidate (Audubon Society), salmon refugia and nodal corridor for Coho, chum, Steelhead and cutthroat as well as critical contributing areas to downstream salmonid and estuarine habitat. The site exhibits rare habitat attributes in comparison to other western WA watersheds with potential to benefit salmonid protection and restoration. Retention of natural stream hydrology is imperative to maintaining suitable habitat for salmonids and conditions in streams in these undisturbed areas appear to be very stable. The 2002 Refugia study update by Dr. Chris May ranks Illahee as an important refuge watershed. Permanently preserving this property, at imminent risk of being developed and logged off, will provide vital rearing areas and help maintain the hydrology of the watershed central to a heavily urbanized area.
- 47.60896037 -122.60854248
What is the WWRP?
The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) is a state grant program that creates and conserves local and state parks, wildlife habitat and working farms. The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office administers WWRP grants, and the legislature funds the program.
