Beamer, E., 2015. South Fork Dike Setback restoration project area. Skagit River System Cooperative, La Conner, WA. pp. 18.

The South Fork Dike Setback restoration project area is a riverine tidal wetland site located on the left bank of the South Fork of the Skagit River, approximately ¾ of a mile upstream from the town of Conway (Figure 1). The restoration project occurred in 2006. Restoration activities removed dike near the river and relocated it adjacent to an existing road. An existing blind tidal channel was reconnected to the river and extended into restored wetland area. Approximately 20 acres of a 40-acre parcel were reconnected to natural fluvial and tidal processes at this site.
The South Fork Dike Setback monitoring sites are within a blind channel system (Figure 1). A fyke trap was used at the blind channel mouth, spanning approximately 4.5 meters (m), narrowing to a width of roughly 2 – 3 m immediately upstream. Approximately 200 m upstream from the mouth, the channel opens to a three-lobed, cloverleaf-shaped, pond-like impoundment area. Because of hydraulic controls at the lower extent of the impoundment at the connection to the outlet channel, these pond-like areas retain water throughout tidal cycles and river fluctuations. Two of the three lobes were selected for beach seine sampling. Wetted area of the entire blind channel system was calculated based on field verification of GIS analysis using 2011 orthophotos. Pond area was estimated at 2,494 m2 while channel area was estimated at 869 m2.