Loads of progress on Woodard Bay NRCA restoration

Contractors prepare to pull one of last segments of train trestle across Woodard Bay in an earlier phase of the project in 2010. This location is where large volume of fill currently is being removed to restore natural shoreline. DNR Photo: Lisa Kaufman

Part closed, part open during big job
Treasured by naturalists and walkers, Woodard Bay Natural Resources Conservation Area is enjoyed throughout the year.

And we know that it’s disappointing to have most of this special place closed until spring, but it will be well worth it! It’s a big job removing hundreds of tons of fill and restoring the natural coastline, pulling out more creosote logs and piers, and developing long-term access for the public.

The Overlook Trail on the south side of Woodard Bay is open during daylight hours, and Whitham Road and the Loop Trail on the north side are closed for restoration and construction.

With state ‘jobs funding’ available, we are taking advantage of the opportunity to contract out for projects that wedidn’t think we’d be able to complete for many years. We’re moving quickly to make as much progress as possible during the winter ‘fish window’ when species such as salmon are not moving through the area waters.

Project progress highlighted in The Olympian

View the changes
Even though the large north side of the conservation area is closed to the public for safety, the southern ridgeline trail is still open, with parking available in the adjacent lot at the northern terminus of the Chehalis Western Trail.

As you walk the southern trail, you will be able to see part of the big project’s progress—the removal of fill where the trestle once stood, and restoration of the Woodard Bay Shoreline.

We look forward to sharing with the public the improvements at the site…as soon as we can.

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