Major rivers continually shape the landscape on all sides of the Cascade Crest and provide key habitat for thousands of species of plants and animals. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the North Cascades. To the north, the Chilliwack River leaves the park to combine with the Fraser River in British Columbia (the largest watershed along the west coast of North America). The Nooksack River flows west beyond Mount Baker beginning its journey near Mt. Shuksan (the park's most photographed peak). Baker River drains the Picket Range and southeast slopes of Mount Baker joining the Skagit River, which flows from Canada, then westward across the middle of North Cascades National Park Complex. The Skagit is the largest watershed emptying into Puget Sound. In spite of the three dams along its length, the Skagit supports all five species of Pacific salmon and two anadromous (or sea-going) trout. The Stehekin River drains the southeast corner of the park to feed Lake Chelan – a glacier-carved trough which at 1500 feet is the third deepest natural lake in the nation. The waters of Lake Chelan eventually make their way to the mighty Columbia River, the largest river system in the western US.
Chilliwack River|Fraser River|Nooksack River|Baker River|Skagit River,|Stehekin River|Columbia River, Mount Baker Chilliwack River|Nooksack River|Baker River|Skagit River,|Stehekin River Chilliwack River|Fraser River|peak). Baker River|Skagit River,|Stehekin Chilliwack River|Nooksack|Baker|Stehekin Fraser River|Nooksack River|Baker River|Skagit|Stehekin River|Columbia River,
Chilliwack River|Fraser River|Nooksack River|Baker River|Skagit River,|Stehekin River|Columbia River, Mount Baker Chilliwack River|Nooksack River|Baker River|Skagit River,|Stehekin River Chilliwack River|Fraser River|peak). Baker River|Skagit River,|Stehekin Chilliwack River|Nooksack|Baker|Stehekin Fraser River|Nooksack River|Baker River|Skagit|Stehekin River|Columbia River,