Singh’s body was found just before Noon some 2,000 yards downstream of where he went under.

The World reports that Singh was apparently last seen swimming across a fast-moving part of the river Saturday near the KOA Pine Village campground east of Leavenworth when he went under and didn’t re-surface.

Search and rescue crews looked for Singh into the evening Saturday, but suspended the search due to darkness.

About a dozen members of Singh’s family, including his father, drove over from the Burien area when they learned he was missing.

Read the full story here.

The first salmon of the season on Miller Creek was sighted last Saturday at the Cove in Normandy Park, and stream steward Dennis Clark is putting the call out for volunteers this Saturday (Oct. 17th) to “help create a more healthy stream for this fish and its buddies.”

Here are the details:

WHAT: Help plant 37 trees and do a final bit of weeding on Miller Creek (at South 144th St. west of Des Moines Memorial Drive) in Burien. You’ll work under the yellowing leaves of the cottonwoods and enjoy a classic fall day out-of-doors.

• Do you care about a healthy environment for your children?
• Do you want to improve Highline for fish, wildlife, and people?
• Do you like caring for trees that you’ll be able to watch grow year by year?
• Do you want to get rid of the stress of the workweek by whacking non-native, invasive weeds?
• Do you want to meet some of your Highline neighbors?

If so, recruit your friends and family and join us to help restore a section of Miller Creek!

We will weed and mulch around trees and shrubs planted in October 2007 and October 2008; we will plant some new trees

What do you need?

• An eager attitude
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Water bottle
• Gloves (if you have them)
• We provide gloves, tools, and snacks!

WHEN: Planting time is 9am this Saturday, October 17. With enough volunteers, we can get the work done in two hours.

WHERE: South 144th Street, one block west of Des Moines Memorial Drive (northeast Burien, just north of SR 518 and east of SR 509 (see map below).

INFO: For more details, download the flier here (PDF)

RSVP: RSVP so Dennis can provide enough tools and doughnuts for all. If you are a student, please have your parent/guardian download and complete this form (.doc file).

Want to plant trees but can’t make this date? I have another planting project with a private group that would welcome other volunteers on Sunday, October 25, 9 a.m. Let me know if you’d like to join.

This project is a cooperative effort of the Cities of Burien, Normandy Park, and SeaTac; the Port of Seattle; and King County. These governments are working with residents to improve water quality and create healthy streams in the Miller and Walker Creek basins.

Advance sign-up is encouraged to help us plan.

For sign up and questions, contact Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov, or by phone at: 206-296-1909.

On Monday (Sept. 21st), a merry band of men who never lost their childhood sense of joy in playing in streams set off down Miller Creek in Burien and Normandy Park. Their grown up mission was to carefully assess and, where necessary, remove debris jams that block upstream salmon passage. With coho salmon due to return next month, now was the time to do this work.

Stream steward Dennis Clark, assisted by enthusiastic volunteers Andy Batcho, Jim Buchman, and Dave Evans, organized the project. Accompanying them was a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist, the aptly named Larry Fisher. The B-Town Blog’s own Michael Brunk, who thought he came along merely to take photos, also ended up helping to move the largest logs.

Click below to view his Photo Slideshow:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Salmon are persistent and agile fish and often can swim under, through, and over what appear to be complete blockages. However, in smaller streams such as Miller and Walker Creeks, some jams are complete blockages that would limit the ability of the fish to reach the upper parts of the stream where they would lay their eggs (spawn). At the same time, tree trunks and limbs in the stream provide an important role in creating pools where young salmon rear. Wood also provides shelter where young fish can hide from predators such as great blue herons. Consequently, the team carefully assessed each log/debris jam before deciding to take action. Larry provided the expertise and authority to determine which jams should be removed. Removal of jams in the stream – and most activities affecting the stream channel – require state approval. Based on their evaluation, the team disassembled two blockages. A third was too big for the equipment they had and they’ll return later this week to disassemble a part of that.

The debris jams on Miller Creek were on private property and the team thanks the various property owners who graciously granted property access.

This work complements ongoing efforts to improve streamside habitat, both by private property owners and through organized volunteer projects stretching from the Cove in Normandy Park to the restoration site on Miller Creek at S. 144th St. in Burien. October offers volunteer restoration opportunities on Miller and Walker Creeks on three Saturdays:

• Oct. 3rd
• Oct. 10th
• Oct. 17th

Learn more at the volunteer webpage here.

If you’re interested in volunteering on future stream blockage removals, contact Dennis at 206-296-1909, or via email: dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov.

This is the beaver's dam home. The yardstick is used (by humans) to monitor water levels, which are affected by the beaver's dam.

This is a beaver in its home. Any dam questions?

A recent posting in our forums from Sue (one of the beaver’s neighbors) is worth a note as well, expressing her concern for the safety of the animals if they’re relocated:

“We have recently had a couple of beavers decide to move into our pond area off of Desmoines Memorial Drive.

But, because they’re affecting the culverts under the roadway, the city may relocate them to avoid having to pay to keep them in their protected habitat.

We’ve had a guy from King County out a couple of times, and they’ve lowered the levels of the dams and cleared out the culverts.

They have warned us that if the beavers keep being beavers, that they will have to be relocated.

I’m not sure if anyone knows this but the mortality rate of a beaver, once relocated, is very slim. Please help us keep our wild life!!“

According to King County’s Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward Dennis Clark:

As for the beavers, they are still there doing their dam beaver thing. I now TRULY understand the term “busy as a beaver.”

I’m the “King County guy” that Sue refers to, of course. Her characterization of the issue isn’t entirely accurate, unfortunately.

Right now, the City of Burien is reviewing how to manage the beavers. While it’s exciting to have the beavers and they provide ecological benefits, they also in their dam way cause some big drainage problems. The key challenge is keeping the culverts under Des Moines Memorial Drive free-flowing so water doesn’t back up and flood over the road and the neighbors to the north.

What makes the decision for the City particularly hard is that the costs of different options vary considerably and the outcomes of the more costly options are uncertain. WILDlife is unpredictable in its response to our efforts to “manage” it.

At this point, I don’t know when the City will make its decision.

previously, Clark has also written on his blog:

Per yesterday’s entry, further work was needed to clear the Walker Creek culverts under Des Moines Memorial Drive in Burien. Overnight, the beavers were as busy as — well, beavers — and they had partly replugged one culvert and rebuilt a dam.

My clearing efforts did raise the water level flowing downstream by 2 p.m. Friday. As occurred yesterday, shortly after I concluded my work, the water flowing downstream became clear. Any longer-lasting turbidity downstream likely is due to sediment in the stream being mobilized by the temporarily higher flows. Reports from people in Normandy Park confirm that turbidity decreases once the flows do.

This clearing of the culverts and the attendant flow fluctuations downstream hopefully should occur no longer than for a few days next week. This manipulation of the stream is not desirable and is only occurring as a byproduct of efforts to protect public property (a major road) and private property (a septic drain field).

So…what do YOU think the city should do with these beavers? Please take our poll, or leave a Comment below…

Miller/Walker Basin Steward Denni Clark recently spotted a wild otter in Miller Creek, and here’s his report, along with an invitation that you “otter” help clean it up this coming Saturday, April 11th starting at 9am:

Burien and SeaTac just keeping getting wilder.

On April 2nd I observed an otter climbing over a weir (a small dam) in Miller Creek just upstream of the SeaTac/Burien city boundary along Des Moines Memorial Drive.

After climbing over the dam, the otter continued swimming upstream on SeaTac Airport property. The scofflaw otter paid no heed to the “no trespassing” signs. While the otter’s destination is unknown, it may be on a quest to see the mythical 20-foot tall image of an otter known to appear over SeaTac (“Hector the Sea Otter” on the tail of a Frontier Airlines plane).

River otters long have been observed in the lower portions of Miller Creek in Normandy Park but not this far upstream in some time. Presumably the otter made its way upstream from Normandy Park through the culvert underneath First Ave. South, through Burien, and then through the long culvert underneath SR509/Des Moines Memorial Drive.

You might catch of glimpse of the otter if you volunteer for the April 11th Miller Creek Appreciation Day stewardship project and stream tour. The tour will include the section of the stream where the otter was seen.

It’s a great local way to celebrate Earth Month – work on and go on a rare tour of your local stream!

On April 11th, beginning at 9 a.m., help our on-going efforts to restore Miller Creek. Volunteers will remove invasive plants and put mulch around native trees and shrubs along Miller Creek at the S. 144th St. site in Burien. Normandy Park councilmembers and residents have been working to restore the stream here since October 2007 and it shows great improvement. At 11 a.m., immediately following the restoration project, participants will go on a tour of the creek where it has been reconstructed on the grounds of SeaTac Airport. This is a rare opportunity to both serve and learn about the stream upstream of Normandy Park — don’t miss it!

For more details, download a PDF flyer here, or contact Basin Steward Dennis Clark at 206-296-1909.

At 11 a.m., immediately following the restoration project, participants will go on a tour of Miller Creek downstream where it has been reconstructed on the grounds of SeaTac Airport. You will see parts of the stream not normally accessible to the public. Port of Seattle biologist Josh Feigin will be our guide.

A short drive will be necessary to go from the restoration site to the tour location. If you need a ride, please contact me.

Details and maps are in the Miller Creek Appreciation Day flier (attached; also available at the website).

Please RSVP so we can plan accordingly and to guarantee your doughnut!

Dennis Clark
Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward
206-296-1909 additional contact information

WHAT: Miller Creek Appreciation Day stewardship project and stream tour

WHEN:  9am – 11am Stewardship Project; 11am – 12:30pm Tour

WHERE: 9am Restoration: South 144th St., one block west of Des Moines Memorial Drive (northeast Burien just north of SR 518 and east of SR 509)

11am Tour: From the restoration location, go south down Des Moines Memorial Drive.  After passing under SR 509, turn left on S. 168th St. After again passing under SR 509, turn left at the first (unmarked) intersection.

INFO: What do you need?

• An eager attitude
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Water bottle
• Gloves (if you have them)

We provide gloves, tools, and snacks!

This project is a cooperative effort of the Cities of Burien, Normandy Park, and SeaTac; the Port of Seattle; and King County.  These
governments are working with residents to improve water quality and create healthy streams in the Miller and Walker Creek basins.
Advance sign-up is encouraged to help us plan.

RSVP: For sign up and questions, contact:

• Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward
  • dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov
  • 206-296-1909

The flooding Carbon River in Orting last week.

by Josh Hart

With all the flooding recently I wanted to find someone to talk to about what happened to them. I realized that someone very close to me had been affected, my great grandma and grandpa (Betty and Glen).

When I talked to them about the flooding this is what I found out:

Last Wednesday afternoon (Jan. 7th), they started to get phone calls from Pierce County Emergency Management saying that they should move to a higher location for the night. When Glen went to the store he saw that the water was getting pretty high on the roads. They debated leaving; they hadn’t had any flooding in their housing area yet.

They finally decided they were in danger when two fire trucks drove through the area with sirens on and announcing to everyone to “evacuate immediately” over their loudspeakers.

The Orting street where my great-grandparents live looks like it could easily turn into a river.

Their housing area is in Orting, between the Puyallup River and the Carbon River. Both rivers were over their banks and were starting to flood the roads. Many of the stores were closing so they decided they would leave the area.

They were worried and didn’t know what to expect. They didn’t know what belongings they should take with them or how long they would have to be out of the area. They had many people offer them a place to stay but didn’t know where the best place to stay was. Many of them were too far to drive to at the time, because traffic was so bad.

That night they stayed at a motel in Sumner and listened to the flood news on TV. The next morning it seemed like it would be safe to go home. So at about 9am in the morning they headed back to their housing area in Orting. It took them longer than usual, because the traffic was bad again.

However beautiful Orting is, it can still be very dangerous, not because of the two rivers, but because it lies in the shadow of Mt. Rainier.

While they were driving home they saw some places that were underwater. As they crossed the Carbon River, the water was coming right up to the banks. Despite the dangerous conditions, they got home safely and found that there was no damage to their yard or their house. It seems like their housing area hadn’t been affected at all.

They were thankful everything was safe and they were happy to be home with all their belongings and things they cherish safe and unharmed. 
And I am happy that my great-grandparents were spared and harm or damage.

However beautiful Orting is, it can still be very dangerous, not because of the two rivers, but because it lies in the shadow of Mt. Rainier.

View Larger Map

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Josh Hart is the B-Town Blog's first Intern! He's also a 15-year old student at Highline's “Big Picture High School” in SeaTac.

You can read more of his writing here...]

Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward.

Just got word from Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, that Workshop #3 on monitoring coordination for Miller and Walker Creeks has been changed from this Wednesday, Nov. 19th to Thursday Dec. 4th.

The new date is Thursday, December 4, 7 – 9 p.m.  The workshop will run from 7pm-9pm and will be at the ERAC Building, 15675 Ambaum Blvd. SW.

This date change will allow more interested people to participate.

To catch everyone up-to-date, Workshop #2 focused on coordination of monitoring of water flow, water quality, and habitat conditions on Miller and Walker Creeks. Workshop #3 will continue those discussions.

WHAT: Miller/Walker Creeks Monitoring Coordination Workshop #3

WHEN: Wednesday, November 19, 7 – 9 p.m.

WHERE: Educational Resource and Administrative Center, 15675 Ambaum Blvd. S.W., Burien (note – this is  new location for these workshops).

INFO: New participants are welcome.  However, if you did not participate in Workshop #1 (Sept. 24th) and/or Workshop #2 (Oct. 29th), please review the materials for and from the first workshops:

• Workshop #1 Agenda (Word .doc)
• Workshop #2 Agenda (Word .doc)

Reviewing these materials in advance (along with others located here) will make your participation more productive for both you and the rest of the participants.

Workshop #3 will focus on:

• Finalizing and prioritizing answers to question #1 discussed at Workshop #1: What water quality/quantity/habitat issues are we concerned about?
• Brainstorm ways to better manage and coordinate monitoring

Please let Dennis know if you have any questions or suggestions:

Dennis Clark
Dennis.Clark@kingcounty.gov
206-296-1909

View Larger Map

Photos by Brett Fish

The Coho Salmon you see above was photographed at the “Fish House” in Miller Creek (ironically enough by longtime resident Brett Fish) and stands as a signal that yes indeed, the stewardship of both Miller and Walker Creeks is working!

But it’s not over – Sat. Oct. 18th your help is requested to work on the Miller Creek Renewal at S. 144th Way, from 9am to Noon.

• Do you care about a healthy environment for your children?
• Do you want to improve Highline for fish, wildlife and people?
• Do you like caring for trees that you’ll be able to watch grow year by year?
• Do you want to get rid of the stress of the work week by whacking non-native, invasive weeds?
• Do you want to meet some of your Highline neighbors?
• Do you want to make sure photos like the ones above can be taken again?

This will be the final maintenance work for the year at this site, where restoration began in October 2007. Come out to help weed, possibly plant a few final trees, and spread mulch.

Download the event flier that contains details and map (PDF file).

Here’s what you should bring:

• An eager attitude
• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Water bottle
• Gloves (if you have them)
• Gloves, tools, and snacks will be provided!

Location is South 144th Way, west of Des Moines Memorial Drive in Burien (map below).

For more info, email Dennis Clark, Basin Steward, or call him at 206-296-1909.

View Larger Map