UBNA Tour Land-Use History Guide

Land-Use History of Union Bay Natural Area

The section of Lake Washington that has now Union Bay Natural Area (UBNA) shared a border with Henry Yesler's Union Bay lumber mill (1810-1892) during the 19th century, and emerged from underwater in the early part of the 20th century.

http://depts.washington.edu/ubna/

 During the early 20th century Seattle saw many innovative changes to its geology regarding the Puget Sound waters, and Lake Union and Lake Washington share a particularly dramatic alteration. The isthmus between the two was severed, known as the Montlake Cut, and shipping companies profited from the effective decrease in time and resources devoted to sailing around Seattle. The marshlands which now make up UBNA, however, were not visible prior to this alternation to the land. Lake Washington's new-found connection with Lake Union drained much of Lake Washington westward, revealing the marsh underneath. The site was not preserved and put to use by natural historians and nature lovers as we would expect. Instead, Union Bay Dump, aka University Dump, aka Ravenna Dump, aka Montlake Fill became the largest garbage dump in Seattle for over forty years. Every type of garbage occupied the landfill, ravaging the land and rendering it useless, devoid of life. After the landfill reached its capacity the area was closed (1966). Following the halt in garbage pile-up, environmentalists and University of Washington (UW) students, faculty, and affiliates began experimenting with degradation levels and the possibility of restoration. The site has become a story of success, covered by two layers of soil and the land used for a shopping center, UW sports fields, and finally the beautifully restored natural area. Since the 1980's, the site has been used to study land reclamation, and has been a favorite frequented by bird watchers (150-200 species of birds have been spotted in the area), runners, walkers, cyclists, natural history buffs, students, the list goes on... This example of a successful attempt to recover natural habitat for species native to the Puget Sound Region has resulted in the return of our non-human neighbors. Thus, the restoration does not only benefit Seattleites, but many other, native, inhabitants. Loss of habitat can be very destructive to the populations of different species, and many of their habitats are disappearing with rapidity. the restoration process, however successful will be continuously met with disturbance to the natural ecology.