Hooven Bog
Jewel in the Bear Creek Headwaters
Located northeast of Woodinville, WA
in Snohomish County. |
See MORE photos of the bog here.
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Quick FactsHooven Bog is a federally designated Category 1 wetland located ½ mile west of Crystal Lake. The bog drains eastward through forested wetland and on into the north end of Crystal Lake. Headwaters to Cottage Lake Creek and Bear Creek which are spawning and rearing habitat for original population of Chinook Salmon, a federally endangered species. The wetland absorbs and filters water, keeps overflow and seepage water cool, clean, and at a more stable volume to minimize flooding serving a crucial role for the Bear Creek system. Hooven is a very rare habitat of statewide importance because it is a bog /fen system with an intact mature forest on its southern shore. Plant and animal species present not found anywhere else, or very rare. 24 acres of surface water on the site with an active beaver population. Hooven Bog is one of very few preserved, near pristine peat bogs remaining in Snohomish County. Valuable habitat diversity and is heavily used by a wide variety of wildlife. |
Success! A Call for Help ... NO More!
The bog and surrounding buffer was privately owned but has now been approved for purchase by the Snohomish County Council as of April 23, 2014. There are approximately 8.6 acres of upland pasture identified for buffer restoration that will be purchased as well.
There was a window of opportunity to acquire these 30 acres for conservation and we did it! A successful appeal had stayed development effort prior to the aquisition. A community initiative to purchase the property for placement into conservation was underway when Snohomish County stepped up to protect the bog. Point man for the County was Deputy Executive Mark Ericks who worked diligently the last couple months to make this happen. Bear Creek Headwaters fully supported this effort and actively worked with the Snohomish County Executive Office to protect this community resource.
There was a window of opportunity to acquire these 30 acres for conservation and we did it! A successful appeal had stayed development effort prior to the aquisition. A community initiative to purchase the property for placement into conservation was underway when Snohomish County stepped up to protect the bog. Point man for the County was Deputy Executive Mark Ericks who worked diligently the last couple months to make this happen. Bear Creek Headwaters fully supported this effort and actively worked with the Snohomish County Executive Office to protect this community resource.
More Info
Hooven Bog is relatively intact and undisturbed in comparison to the surrounding properties and as such is serving a crucial role in the area. The property provides habitat diversity and is home to a variety of wildlife.
Many local wetlands have been severely damaged or depleted by peat harvesting and urban development. At a growth rate of only one inch per decade, peat bogs are being depleted far faster than they can regenerate. Hooven Bog is one of very few preserved, near pristine peat bogs remaining in Snohomish County.
Accelerating development in south Snohomish County is increasing pressure on the local environment. Encroaching growth makes wetlands, including this bog in particular, even more important for flood prevention, biofiltration, and animal habitat and migration.
Many local wetlands have been severely damaged or depleted by peat harvesting and urban development. At a growth rate of only one inch per decade, peat bogs are being depleted far faster than they can regenerate. Hooven Bog is one of very few preserved, near pristine peat bogs remaining in Snohomish County.
Accelerating development in south Snohomish County is increasing pressure on the local environment. Encroaching growth makes wetlands, including this bog in particular, even more important for flood prevention, biofiltration, and animal habitat and migration.
Bog History
The last glacial event in the Puget Sound area left depressions including where Hooven Bog formed. Water collected from runoff and springs to fill up the dent in the landscape for thousands of years. The acid environment of the area and stagnant water conditions were ideal for development of the bog. Plant matter accumulated under anaerobic conditions, creating the dark soils characteristic of bogs. When European settlers moved into the area in the late 1800’s, the ancient forest was logged for timber. Beginning about 40 years ago, residential property development started encroaching on Hooven Bog. Today, the bog is surrounded by low density housing. Some mature forested upland buffers still exist, notably on the south boundary and the NE corner of the bog.
Salmon Connections
Cottage Lake Creek/Daniels Creek, is a stream that supports significant populations of chinook, sockeye, coho, kokanee, steelhead, and cutthroat. Hooven Bog, as a feedwater to Crystal Lake and Daniels Creek, supports water quality for these salmon runs.