Where you learn about where your water comes from. Good place to take the kids! There are tours for adults and field trip options for 4th and 5th grade students. Note: This place is currently closed due to the pandemic so check the website when it opens back up. read more

Cedar River Watershed Education Center - Closed to the public 8/26. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - North Bend, Washington

The Cedar River Watershed Education Center is located just down the road from Rattlesnake Lake. I came here with a friend on the 25th of August 2018 to do some exploring and learn about the watershed in Western Washington. The presentation of information was well done. Some sections were also very interactive! When we entered one area we picked up a ball. We then proceeded through the area putting our ball in different tubes depending on what water pathway we wanted to learn about and the ball would levitate/flow to the next station corresponding to a next stop on the water cycle or something of the like. That was very neat! I could easily see spending a few hours here. We rushed it a little, but it was still fun. The graphics for understanding the local watershed were very cool. Videos complemented a light up topographic model of the area and we got to see where our fresh water supply comes from. There was also information available about individual water towers in the Puget Sound area and we found one of the ones we had both driven past growing up. Informational brochures and handouts were available with water quality reports and tips for different water related issues such managing storm water. A very enjoyable and informative place to visit. read more

Cedar River Watershed Education Center - One of the handouts I took on managing storm water at home. - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - North Bend, Washington

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This was an amazing tour of the Cedar River Watershed Forest! I believe they have them occasionally on Eventbrite? Check it out and take a rare opportunity to see some old growth forest, how Seattle Public Utilities, is managing the forest and watershed surrounding their drinking water and some power source. The tour guides actually work in different areas of SPU, so they know their forest well! Working with the native tribes as well. A rare look at the Cedar River falls was beautiful. Hiking through areas where the huckleberry as been reintroduced and managed, a recently dried peat bog, where there was evidence of elk and bear!! Just a amazing tour of some of Washington's beautiful forests, lakes, and rivers. I was lucky enough to receive a ticket, because my boss decided not to go. Oh darn!! The tour starts at the education center, which was a joy to tour as well, I can imagine all the school students that pass through on a yearly basis?!? Lots of fun history and interactive graphics. This is real close to one of the areas most popular hikes, Rattlesnake ridge, which was packed, on this beautiful Saturday morning. Words or pictures cannot express some of the beauty and views the tour takes you through. Take the opportunity to experience this! Keeping in a Evergreen state of mind. Yelp on, and God bless! read more

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If you've ever been curious about where your water comes from and enjoy a beautiful natural setting, the Cedar River Watershed is for you! We arrived ten minutes early for the family tour that we'd purchased, which was perfect because we were able to enjoy the meditative experience of listening to the rain drums. We came on a sunny and dry day, but we were not disappointed by the musical, rhythmic drops of water delivered by the pumps. The tour guide arrived on time and gave us a short introduction to the watershed in the courtyard by the center. We then hopped into the spacious bus and drove off towards the waterfall. On the way, our tour guide (Pierre) gave us commentary on the surroundings- the no-longer-inhabited town of Cedar Falls with the new watershed headquarters, the old power plant that is still working today, and eventually Cedar Falls itself. Cedar Falls was breathtaking- the glassy clear lake at the bottom of the falls and the crescent moon curve that the falls formed were both beautiful. It was definitely one of the most unique waterfalls we've visited. When we arrived back at the visitor center, the kids purchased beautifully detailed wildlife pins and then we went to explore the exhibit. The detailed model of the Cedar River Watershed was awesome, and the kids enjoyed following the journey of a water droplet from the ocean to our mouths. The view of Rattlesnake Ledge was ominous and wondrous, as it loomed above us from the porch behind the visitor center. Visiting the Cedar River Watershed was a wonderful experience that the whole family enjoyed. We'd definitely recommend it to anyone living in Seattle or elsewhere! read more

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Nice place to visit, next to rattlesnake lake. Easy and beautiful hiking trail around the lake. read more

Cedar River Watershed Education Center - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - North Bend, Washington

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We discovered the Cedar River Watershed Education Center after exploring where the various roads went after hiking Rattlesnake. For two adults, it was a beautiful place to explore, both inside and out. The planning of the facility is incredible - built with Trex above the ground to make walkways both easy to access and easier on the environment. The center itself educates on the sources of water, how it is treated, and how to conserve it. Even as an adult without kids, I was pulled into the exhibits. The outside includes breathtaking views of the watershed and Rattlesnake. However, the most unique feature is utilizing rainwater to make music. It is the most thoughtful landscaping I have ever seen! If you're in the area or just looking for something new to see and do, try the Cedar River Watershed! read more

Living close to Seattle Center, working in the busy Northgate area, spending most of my weekends getting chores done in-city, I often forget how close I am to nature. Yesterday morning I departed in rush-hour Seattle traffic for a work-related conference at the Cedar River Watershed Education Center, a site accessible by driving I-90 to exit 32, then another three to four miles off the interstate. The entrance area to the Education Center is stunning. A small garden with indigenous plant life also features an irrigation system and drums. The irrigation system is strung up through trees (and some rebar--but done tastefully--really!) and hangs over the drums. The water drips onto the drums in a choreographed pattern, so you can listen to the percussion while walking on the grounds. Cool. In walking about the property, there was a paved path leading to some of the features that used to be housed there, such as the remaining foundation of an old train substation. There are several buildings available for meetings, retreats, weddings, and other events. The largest room accommodates 100 people max, so this really isn't a good site for a large wedding. For our 30-person meeting in the auditorium we had plenty of room, an adjacent kitchen, and a crew to help with tech set-up. The rental rates vary across buildings, but are super-low for those who work for Seattle Public Utilities (free), non-profits with a mission related to the environment ($50), and other non-profit and government groups (25% of normal fees): http://www.seattle.gov/util/stellent/groups/public/@spu/@ssw/documents/webcontent/spu01_001846.pdf Since our group consists of community college phys ed instructors, we like to move around, and this place was ideal for exercise at the end of the day. Attendees were able to select among four activities, all close by: hiking, bicycling, kayaking and fly fishing. A nice bonus unavailable at most conference facilities. At the end of the day, I lingered in front of the drum symphony, before heading back through afternoon rush hour traffic into my noisy, urban abode. read more

It would be impossible for me to love the Cedar River Watershed Education Center any more. I could (and have) spent hours on end sitting by the drums and listening to the computer programed water hit them. You also get the treat of seeing where a good portion of the Seattle water comes from! Brilliant local artist Dan Corson designed the Drum area, computer-activated drippers drop water onto 21 beautiful drums fitted with special-plastic heads. The sounds of the drum make you feel like you are in a exotic location - Kenya, Thailand, or Bali. There are great trails (ranging from flat and paved to steep to Rattlesnake Ridge) nearby, picnic areas, and is a quick jaunt from Seattle to this relaxing refuge. read more

What a lovely little stop on our way to take in a hike. Located about 4 miles from #32 exit from 90E - along the way don't miss the General Store if you want some snack for the lake walk or the number of surrounding trails. The center is compromised of a couple of buildings connected by a nice wooden arcade. From the center you can take a trail to the lake that once flooded a village and walk along its shores, look at the cool tree structures and see some large vistas of the surrounding mountains as the weather sweeps over their hillsides. At the center there is a small outdoor eco-exhibit near the main space that features a cool artist installation, that programs and rigs the irrigation system to drop water onto drums. Inside the same artist took tree roots and fitted them with light strings to form some neat fixtures. The exhibits inside are neat, they explain the Cedar Watershed, this is where Seattle gets it water from and that is illustrated in a neat topographic model and a couple videos that explain just how progressive the region was in its attitude toward conservation. read more

Such an easy and fun visit. We just live down the road a couple miles, but love to visit this place. The rain drums are really neat too! The interactive historical displays are excellent, and very informative. Learn where we get our water from, learn about the history of the town of Moncton, go on a tour of the off limits reservoir above Rattlesnake Lake! read more

What an amazing opportunity to explore nature. The Cedar River Watershed Education Center is a small science museum. I had no idea it existed until I attended their "Knee-High Naturalists" program for toddlers. We had such a great time that I blogged about it. For a full review of the program, please read it. http://bonafidebites.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/knee-high-naturalists/ We will definitely be going back. I agree with the previous reviewer who sang the praises of the Drum area. It is amazing. A chance to hear nature's symphony. read more

Had a great 2 pm tour with family and friends. Great learning about where our water supply comes from. Facilities are very well kept and clean. Staff was very friendly and helpful. I would recommend this for a family outing. read more

LOVE this place! We visited on a sunny December afternoon and had the whole place to ourselves! The kids enjoyed the museum so much and (as everyone else has mentioned) the water drums are really amazing...and I usually don't buy in to "expensive art projects in the woods" like some of my Seattle neighbors. I could have sat and listened to the drums all afternoon. You just can't beat a free experience like this place has to offer anywhere else in the greater Seattle area, especially since all of our state parks charge an entrance fee. What a little gem this place is! (And if you're in the market, the facilities this place has for rent are gorgeous too, it would be a fantastic place to host an engagement party or other small-ish get together.) read more

I admit, I just like the rain drums! There are about a dozen, large drums arranged in a garden with tubing over them that drip water on the drums with various rhythms. Simple things, I guess. It's also a really nice starting point for several refreshing walks along the lake. The views are pretty spectacular, too. read more

We recently "discovered" the Education Center, and were very pleased with the displays and grounds. We especially appreciated the "rain drums" - a unique treat. read more

First timer today, I experienced a great three hour tour with my elderly parents. The education center was clean, facility was modern and looked, felt, like a small retreat center. The Guide was knowledgeable and the view was great. Bus ride pleasant as our Guide gave us the history. We stop three times at three scenic spots. Factoids on our water supply was bountiful, delivered by an experience & entertaining guide. Highly rate and will recommend to all generation levels, especially those who enjoy the outdoors. read more