This newsletter provides updates about the federal relicensing of the Skagit Hydroelectric Project. More information is available on the project website or by emailing the project team at scl_skagitrelicensing@seattle.gov.

Mayor Harrell and Councilmembers Join City Light's Interim General Manager and CEO for Skagit Tour

City of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, First Lady Joanne Harrell, Councilmembers Tanya Woo and Dan Strauss, and several members of Seattle City Light’s leadership team recently joined City Light Interim General Manager and CEO Dawn Lindell to visit the Skagit Project and gain valuable firsthand insights about the area and its resources.

The visit included tours of Diablo Lake and Ross Powerhouse, as well as meetings with leaders from the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe and the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. The group learned about the local ecosystem and dam operations, and Tribal leaders spoke about the importance of the Skagit River and its resources, including salmon, to their cultural, spiritual, and economic well-being. 

Science in the Skagit:

Fry Stranding Study 

Protection, enhancement, and mitigation strategies are key to Seattle City Light’s ecosystem approach to managing the Skagit Hydroelectric Project. Central to this work is the reliance on the best available science. This spring, City Light will update the science that will inform how flows are managed to support healthy fish populations.    

Of particular concern is the vulnerability of juvenile salmon during their initial stages of development. When young fish (fry) first emerge from their gravel nests, they are weak swimmers and tend to occupy more shallow stream areas. This raises the risk of fry being stranded in dry areas of the riverbed when water levels decrease. City Light’s Fry Stranding Study analyzes how altering the flow rate of water passing through the dam, known as ramping, impacts juvenile salmon and other fish species that inhabit the river ecosystem.

The existing ramping limits, established under the Skagit Project’s current license, are based on studies conducted in the 1980’s. While these studies provided valuable insights, they also had limitations. As part of relicensing, City Light worked with Tribes and agencies to update the science, extending research coverage to the entire river and focusing on areas closer to the powerhouse where flow changes are most pronounced.

The Fry Stranding Study is a significant field effort, involving a team of scientists surveying 35 locations throughout the river over four weeks. Their early mornings are spent observing how the water level fluctuations after dam operators adjust flow rates, searching for stranded fry. By leveraging new data and tools developed since the original research, the study aims to update ramping guidelines in the new license and minimize negative impacts on downstream fish populations.



This commitment to rigorous scientific inquiry underscores City Light’s dedication to using science to understand and mitigate the environmental effects of the Skagit Project. By making data-informed decisions, we aim to support the health and integrity of the Skagit River watershed ecosystem for generations to come. 

Photo credit: Joe Mabel via Wikimedia Commons 

Safety in the North Cascades: The Newhalem-Diablo Fire Brigade and Skagit Technical Response Team

The nature and unique beauty of the North Cascades make the Skagit Project and surrounding areas a special place for people to live, work, and recreate. However, its remote location can present challenges when time is of the essence. This is where the Newhalem-Diablo Fire Brigade comes in.

The Fire Brigade is a team of mostly volunteer City Light employees who are trained as first responders and are ready to take immediate and coordinated action during emergencies. For example, in May 2023, when a wildfire broke out near the Buster Brown boat-in campsite on Ross Lake, brigade members equipped with essential hand tools and backpack fire pumps acted quickly to control the fire’s spread. Their skilled response not only protected City Light infrastructure but also safeguarded the nearby North Cascades Environmental Learning Center.

While the Fire Brigade plays a critical role in wildfire management and response, its responsibilities extend beyond that. The team also provides emergency response services similar to those offered by a typical fire department, assisting with anything from a hiker’s sprained ankle to a car accident on the North Cascades Highway. 

In situations that require additional support or specialized skills, the Skagit Technical Response Team (STRT), another team of City Light employees, can assist. STRT supplements the Fire Brigade and provides aid during unusual circumstances, such as technical rescues in steep terrains or confined spaces.

Both the Fire Brigade and STRT members undergo extensive training, including annual refresher courses to meet current standards. Their commitment, knowledge, and expertise are critical in ensuring people's safety.

According to Fire Brigade Chief Cody Watson, these employees provide services that no one else in this geographical area can. “When the fire alarm goes off, they have to switch gears and put on a different hat. We have a pretty extraordinary team up here.”

Our Mission

Seattle City Light provides our customers with affordable, reliable and environmentally responsible energy services.

City Light's Hydroelectric Resources

Learn more about the Skagit River

Hydroelectric Project and other City Light hydroelectric resources.

Skagit Relicensing Project Resources

Learn more about the relicensing process, including the library of public documents.

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