North Wind's Weir facts for kids
North Wind's Weir is a special place on the Duwamish River near Seattle, in Tukwila, Washington. It is very important in the old stories and traditions of the Salish people. These stories tell about big battles between the North Wind and the South Wind. They fought to control the land around Puget Sound.
The Legend of North Wind's Weir
According to Salish legends, the powerful North Wind once built a huge wall of ice across the Duwamish River. This ice wall was like a weir, which is a barrier built in a river to catch fish. No fish could swim past it. This caused the people living up the valley to go hungry. These were the people of the Chinook Wind, whose wife was Mountain Beaver Woman, the daughter of North Wind.
Mountain Beaver Woman's mother survived the hunger, but she had to hide away in the mountains. Mountain Beaver Woman's son, a child named Storm Wind, also survived. The North Wind's people tried to keep Storm Wind from learning what had happened to his family. They warned him to stay away from the mountain.
But Storm Wind did not listen. He went to the mountain and found his grandmother living sadly. He listened to her story and helped her feel better. In return, she helped him. She caused a great flood that broke the ice weir into pieces. The ice turned into stone. Storm Wind and his grandmother defeated the North Wind. Now, the North Wind only brings snow and ice to the area sometimes, and only for a short time.
Where is North Wind's Weir Located?
North Wind's Weir is located just east of Cecil Moses Memorial Park. This area is unique because fresh water from the river mixes with salty water from the sea. This mix creates a special place for young Chinook salmon. They use it as a resting spot before they swim out to Puget Sound.
A bridge for walking and biking crosses the Duwamish River just south of the weir. This bridge is part of the Green River Trail. From the bridge, you can see the rock formations in the river. However, during high tide, the rocks might be covered by water.
Protecting the River's Habitat
In December 2009, a big project was finished at North Wind's Weir. The United States Army Corps of Engineers, King County, and a company called Doyon Project Services worked together. They restored about 2.5 acres (1 hectare) of the river's habitat. This included mudflats and marsh areas with plants. This work helps to keep the river healthy for fish and other wildlife.
