The Nooksack River is a dynamic river system. From the peak of Mount Baker at 10,781 and the nearby peaks of Mt. Shuksan and the Twin Sisters down to the Salish Sea. The Nooksack River consists of 3 forks (North, Middle, South) and numerous upland and lowland tributaries. The Nooksack Watershed has been stewarded by the Nooksack Tribe, the Lummi Nation, and other Coast Salish peoples since time immemorial.
The Nooksack River supports all 5 species of Pacific salmon, Pacific lamprey, Salish Sucker, and Nooksack Dace. The Nooksack Rivershed supports other notable species including the Western Toad, Coastal Tailed Frog, Marbled Murrelet, Spotted Owl, Elk, and the recently reintroduced Fisher. Efforts to restore, conserve, and enhance the Nooksack River Watershed are largely implemented by members and partners of the Water Resource Inventory Area 1 (WRIA 1) Watershed Management Board including the Nooksack Tribe, Lummi Nation, Whatcom County, City of Bellingham, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Forest Service, and others.