The first day of Spring is this Saturday, March 20th (at precisely 10:32am PDT), and what better way to spring into this bloomin’ season than by whacking some invasive ivy at Walker Preserve?

King County Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward Dennis Clark wants all our Readers to know that this is a great way to celebrate spring.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Ivy Removal Party at Walker Preserve.

WHEN: Saturday, March 20th from 9am – 11am.

WHERE: Walker Preserve – Enter off First Ave. S. just south of the Normandy Park Assisted Living Center (16625 First Ave. South). The entrance is a gate directly opposite the intersection of S. 168th St. and First Ave. S.

If driving, your parking options include:

• Two-three spaces for high clearance vehicles just inside the gate
• Three spaces in the small lot at SW 171st St. and Second Ave. S.W.
• On the street along S. 168th St. on the east side of First Ave. S.

INFO: From a flier:

Saturday is vernal equinox and the weather forecasters are saying it’s going to be a beautiful day.

You’ll want to celebrate this first day of spring outside as much as possible – and I’ve got just the activity to get you started!

From 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, join me and your neighbors for two vigorous hours of ivy removal at the Walker Preserve.  Details are in the attached flier.

Your volunteering will continue steady progress in improving the health of the urban forest and Walker Creek in the Preserve including:

• Removal of ivy from all trees in the preserve during 2008 and 2009
• Planting in October 2008 of 38 grand fir, 10 Douglas fir, and 7 western red cedar trees to improve the diversity of tree species
• Restoration in August 2009 of 200 feet of stream on the Preserve property and Short family property with the installation of large wood and spawning gravel and the planting of native trees and shrubs on the banks
• Removal in 2008-2009 of all ivy from the forest floor inside the loop at the end of the trail

Photos documenting this progress and the labor of many volunteers are at the 2008 stream blog and 2009 stream blog.

This progress demonstrates that sustained work by volunteers can improve the health of our public natural lands.  Be part of the on-going transformation and join us Saturday!

NOTE: Access to the Preserve is off First Ave. S. for this event.  You cannot reach the project via the 2nd Ave. S.W. entrance due to the bridge closure.  Details on access are in the attached flier.

RSVP so I can bring enough tools and donuts.

Due to the duration and location of the work at the end of the trail in the heart of the Preserve, there will be no porta-potty – plan accordingly!

Dennis Clark
206-296-1909
Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward
Miller/Walker Creeks Basin Stewardship

Our friend Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward for King County, alerts us that over 36 salmon have been spotted in Miller and Walker Creeks.

Here’s his report:

With the rains of fall comes another age-old marker of the turn of the seasons: the salmon are returning to Highline.  Since October 10, at least three dozen coho salmon have returned to Miller and Walker Creeks.  Coho have been reported multiple times in Normandy Park, Burien, and as far upstream as SeaTac.  On Tuesday, Josh Feigin, an environmental specialist at the Port of Seattle, saw at least seven fish in Miller Creek on the airport property.

Some adult trout have been seen to pass upstream of this Miller Creek waterfall, which is about 5 feet high.

Remarkably, three of the fish made it past a substantial waterfall near S. 157th St. that usually prevents further upstream fish passage.  The coho began their upstream migration from Puget Sound following the first fall rains and appear to come in spurts with each succeeding rainfall.

While these are fairly good numbers for early in the season, the news is not all good.  Coho salmon on Miller Creek are suffering from what is termed “pre-spawn mortality.”  Otherwise seemingly healthy fish are dying before they can spawn.  Their deaths are preceded by bizarre swimming in which the fish literally throw themselves out of the water.  I witnessed this disturbing behavior on Friday when a fish jumped over my boots before dying (more info here).  It seems that as the rains gradually wash the pollutants that accumulated over the summer off the streets, fewer fish succumb to this phenomenon (and where do these pollutants go when “washed away”? Read more info here).

While the exact cause of pre-spawn mortality is unknown, it is likely linked to some combination of pollutants associated with modern industrial life.  While research continues, Burien residents can avoid or reduce pollution that is known to harm salmon such as car wash soap (wash your car at a commercial car wash or while parked on the lawn), leaking oil (fix oil leaks promptly), and pesticides (limit use or choose alternatives safer for kids, pets, and fish).

Despite these problems, the presence and persistence of salmon that begin and end their epic lives right here in Burien is a compelling reminder of the amazing world we share.  If you observe fish in the streams, please let Stream Steward Dennis Clark know by e-mail or at 206-296-1909.

Here’s a photo Dennis took Oct. 23rd of a male and female salmon at Miller Creek in Normandy Park:

Here are some photos courtesy Brett Fish showing the various stages of “pre-spawn mortality”:

More information is available at Dennis’ excellent blog here.

In August, a portion of Walker Creek in Normandy Park was reconstructed to make it a better fish habitat, and this Saturday (Oct. 3rd) from 9am to Noon, volunteers will be the first members of the public to see the restoration (the Walker Preserve remains closed while the new pedestrian bridge is being constructed).

Volunteers are sought to help remove the remaining ivy and other invasive plants around the restored area to ensure its revegetation with native plants is wildly successful.

• Do you want to be the first to see the recent Walker Creek restoration?
• Do you care about a healthy environment for your children?
• Do you want to get rid of the stress of the work week by whacking non-native, invasive weeds?
• If so, recruit your friends and family and join us to help restore a section of Walker Creek!

Here are the details:

WHAT: Walker Creek Preserve Stewardship Work Party

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 3rd from 9am to Noon

WHERE: Walker Creek Preserve in Normandy Park; enter through a gate off First Ave South just south of Normandy Park Assisted Living Center at 16625 First Ave South.

If driving, your parking options include:

• Two-three spaces for high clearance vehicles just inside the gate
• Four-five spaces at the far southeast corner of the Assisted Living center (staff said it would be okay for us to use this area); immediately turn left after entering off First Ave.; cars will have to park head-to-tail
• Three spaces in the small lot at SW 171st St. and Second Ave. SW
• On the street along S. 168th St. on the east side of First Ave. S.

INFO: We will continue the work of removing English ivy from trees and the forest floor along Walker Creek.

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 Normandy Park, Burien, 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.

RSVP: Please RSVP in advance so a donut with your name on it is saved; to sign up or get more info, contact Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, at:

• dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov
• 206-296-1909

by Dennis Clark
Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward

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.

We’ve covered this before, but since then our friend Dennis Clark sent us these photos so we just had to do an update – Burien has its own, functioning, dam (building) beaver family living in Walker Creek near Des Moines Memorial Drive; the city may have to relocate these animals soon:

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…

This Saturday (Mar. 21st) Spring will have sprung so it’s time to get your garden gloves on, dig out those pruning shears and help the Walker Wetlands by removing invasive plants from 10am to Noon.

Here are the details:

WHAT: Walker Wetland invasive plant removal work party

WHEN: Saturday, March 21st from 10am to Noon

WHERE: Walker Wetlands, located at sw 176th near Des Moines Memorial Drive

RSVP: Advance sign up is encouraged to help plan. Please contact Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, dennis.clark@kingcounty.gov, or phone: 206-296-1909.

INFO: Here’s a link to a PDF Poster with more info. Link to King County’s page is here.

Celebrate spring (Vernal Equinox is March 20) by volunteering at your local wetland!

Here’s your chance to see the big wetlands at the head of Walker Creek up close.

The City of Burien purchased the wetlands in 2005 to preserve the upper portion of Walker Creek.  While the wetlands themselves continue to serve as a giant sponge and filter benefiting the creek, the edges of the wetlands need a bit of care.

There’s some litter to clean up and then we’ll dig up those pesky blackberries that threaten to overwhelm the healthy native vegetation around the edge of the wetlands.

This is your chance to take a peek inside the wetlands before the vegetation leafs out.

What will the volunteers do?
Volunteers will help protect the health of the Walker wetland by removing invasive, non-native plants. The biggest problem is Himalayan blackberry. Volunteers will cut the canes and then dig up the root balls – hard work but satisfying. Volunteers of all ages are welcome but children need to be
accompanied by a parent or an adult.

Why are we doing this stewardship project at the Walker wetland?
The Walker wetland was purchased by the City of Burien in 2005. The Walker wetland sustains the health of Walker Creek by storing and then slowly releasing water. The water also is filtered by the wetland plants. Lastly, the wetland is home to birds and small animals.

Stewardship is needed to preserve the health of the wetland and the larger Walker Creek stream basin.

While the wetland is basically healthy, invasive plants are creeping in around the dryer edges. This stewardship project will help control this unwanted vegetation.

What do volunteers need? The requirements are simple!

• An eager attitude
• Sturdy shoes or boots (you will not be walking in the wetland itself but if it’s raining, you’ll want footwear that keeps your feet dry)
• Leather-palmed gloves (we also will have plenty to loan)
• Filled water bottle
• We provide tools and snacks!

Who’s organizing this event?
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 ecosystems in the Miller and Walker Creek basins.

Parking
Park on S. 176th St. east of Des Moines Memorial Drive. Please do not park on Des Moines Memorial Drive.

Celebrate spring in the green – the green of the Walker Wetland!

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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

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You know what lies under the Sylvester Bridge in Normandy Park?

Did you know that there’s a creek down there?

And um…this:

Here’s a call for help from BTB friend and Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward Dennis Clark:

Local mountain men – and women – are wanted for an urban adventure this Saturday morning, Oct. 25th!

There’s a decade of trash in the ravine beneath the Sylvester Bridge in Normandy Park. Microwaves, TVs, computer monitors, bicycles, shelving, and variety of other detritus limited only by the imagination of the dolts who threw it off the bridge are at the bottom of the ravine.

With the exception of the trash, which is concentrated in a small area, the ravine is a pocket of green and gold vegetation both attractive and peaceful. The ravine also is home to Fox Creek, a tributary stream to Miller Creek and getting the electronics out will reduce the chance of lead leaching into the creek.

Strong and agile volunteers are needed to pack stuff out of the steep-sided ravine. Safety equipment and donuts will be provided. Volunteers need to wear shoes with good traction and ankle support and wear clothes that can get dirty.

The work will begin 9 a.m. on 11th Place SW just below Sylvester.

Interested volunteers should RSVP with Dennis Clark, Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward, 206-296-1909, or via email: Dennis.Clark@kingcounty.gov.

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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.

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Join a project that’s been going strong in Normandy Park for four years – Stewardship of the Cove!

• Help improve Miller and Walker Creeks where they flow into Puget Sound
• Volunteers will help plant trees and shrubs or control invasive plants
• Work alongside the experienced hands of EarthCorps
• Lunch provided!

RSVP: Doug Osterman, 206-878-2578 or Tony Cassarino, 206-246-9941

Here’s a note of encouragement from Dennis Clark, King County Miller/Walker Creek Basin Steward:

The fish are returning to Miller and Walker Creeks!

Tony Cassarino observed a 4-5 pound coho salmon in Walker Creek next to Snake Road (13th Ave. SW) in Normandy Park on Tuesday Oct. 7th!

For the last eight years, the first fish have shown up in Miller or Walker Creeks during the first two weeks in October.

Welcome home, big guy!

Both Miller Creek and Walker Creek flow through the B-Town area, and both creeks are in need of your help.

An ad-hoc committee aimed at monitoring and studying both creeks is forming, and its inaugural workshop is scheduled for Wed., Sept. 24, from 7pm – 8:30pm at the Burien Community Center, Classroom 5, located at 425 S.W. 144th Street (map below).

At this workshop, participants will learn the answers to some of the following questions, and help provide answers to some other questions:

• How do we know about water quality, water quantity, and habitat conditions in Miller and Walker Creeks?
• What monitoring has been done in recent years?
• What monitoring is necessary to allow for analysis of trends?
• Can we better coordinate existing monitoring?
• What additional monitoring would we like to do in the future?
• And how are we going to use all the data that have been and will be collected? Five years from now, will monitoring give us the information we need to evaluate the health of these stream basins and make good decisions about future projects, programs, and policies?

Improving monitoring of water quality, water quantity, and habitat conditions is recommended in the Executive Proposed Miller and Walker Creeks Basin Plan. This workshop is intended to kick off an ad hoc committee effort to answer the questions listed above. Answering these questions will help everyone take better care of the land and water in the Miller and Walker Creek basins (basin boundary map).

The monitoring discussion is intended to produce recommendations on how local partners can conduct voluntary monitoring in the future. The outcome of this process will not affect the current monitoring for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as required by the Department of Ecology. The monitoring that has been and is being done by the Port of Seattle will be discussed, however, because it provides information on those portions of the creeks that flow through the airport property.

For more information, or to RSVP, please contact Dennis Clark, King County Public Outreach/Stewardship Coordinator, 206-296-1909.

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