Showing posts with label surface water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label surface water. Show all posts

Echo Lake reopens as toxin levels drop

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Toxic algae bloom in Echo Lake
The lake is now clear of toxins 
Photo by Ann Michel
Echo Lake and its beach were closed for an entire month, from April 18 - May 19, 2021, due to a toxic algae bloom. 

This recent bloom of algal species produced anatoxin a, a nerve toxin that has been known to kill dogs and is harmful to humans. These HABs, or Hazardous Algae Blooms, are more frequent in lakes like Echo Lake, which has an excess of phosphorus and other nutrients.

Periodically lakes experience water exchanges, where the water from the lake bottom wells to the surface. The bottom water is full of nutrients, which create a rich environment for algae to grow. Warm weather makes it worse.


The lake was closed for a month.
Photo by Diane Lindberg
Humans contribute to the environment for algae blooms by using products containing phosphorus, such as Round-Up (glyphosate). 

Washing cars, treating lawns with synthetic fertilizers, weed and bug killers all allow phosphorus to enter the lake through runoff and contribute to the potential for toxic algae blooms.  


Brown Bear car wash recycles and filters the water it uses, and is an environmentally friendly alternative to washing your vehicle on a street or driveway. 

Geese take over Echo Lake Park
Photo by Patrick Deagen

Another way to help keep the beach open and safe is to follow the new City of Shoreline guideline about not feeding the ducks or geese at Echo Lake. 

When humans feed waterfowl their population grows beyond sustainable levels. Their feces can contaminate the water and lead to more beach closures.

--Diane Hettrick



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Sun ends a stormy day at Echo Lake

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

 
Photo by Gregg Haughian

Sun ends a stormy day at Echo Lake







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Newly published book documents changes in Lake Washington with then and now photos

Thursday, May 13, 2021

Around Lake Washington, by Eleanor Boba, has been published and is available for purchase at the usual outlets.

It is a gallery of photos in the Past and Present format and features a number of images of the Lake Forest Park / Kenmore areas. 

Several images were provided by the Shoreline Historical Museum. The publisher is Arcadia Publishing.

The author says,

My goal was to document the changes in the topography of Lake Washington by pairing historic images with present day photos taken at roughly the same spots.

Images of Kenmore’s Log Boom Park are on the cover.



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Echo Lake closed to all activities due to toxic algae

Sunday, April 25, 2021

Photo by Marla Tullio
Water sampling at Echo Lake has confirmed the presence of toxic algae. Echo Lake, including access to the swimming beach at Echo Lake Park, is closed until at least May 7, 2021.

Toxic algae is harmful and can even be fatal when ingested. 
Do not swim, wade, fish, or engage in other activities that would cause contact with the water at Echo Lake. 
Please do not allow pets to come into contact with or drink the lake water.

For those who plan to participate in the opening weekend of the 2021 Trout Derby, Lake Ballinger or Green Lake are the two nearest participating lakes in the competition.



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Training neighbors to restore their watersheds

Sunday, April 4, 2021

CATS past participant Dana Kemmerling (right)

Applications are now being accepted for a program that empowers local community-members with a passion for streams, clean water, and local wildlife. The Community Action Training School (CATS) provides a free series of virtual lectures and field trips. In exchange, participants agree to volunteer on a local watershed improvement project of their choosing.

“We are thrilled to once again be able to work with enthusiastic community members who are excited to make change,” says Sarah Heerhartz, Executive Director of Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group. 
“Protecting and restoring our rivers and natural areas requires so many partners – from national governments to local ones, from nonprofit organizations to responsible businesses. 
"I have seen how passionate neighbors can play a huge role – from restoring their local parks, to holding elected official accountable. This program helps people find the areas they are passionate about, and helps focus that passion on a project that can make a change.”

“Participants have created positive impact on their watersheds through a huge variety of project types. Projects from past sessions of the Community Action Training School included the creation of Students Saving Salmon at Edmonds Woodway High School, community-led restoration events, and translation of interpretive signs in one participant’s local park to the languages most often spoken in her neighborhood.

"In our last cohort, one participant worked with her neighbors to protect an important wetland from development and now she’s a part of the planning commission for her city,” said Kelly Frazee, Education Program Manager of Sound Salmon Solutions.

Field trip on stream restoration

Applications for this free program are due April 12th. You can find out more at the websites of either Sound Salmon Solutions Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group, the two organizations who are jointly organizing this program.

“I’ve always cared about salmon. But by participating in the CATS program, I better understood where I could best fit my talents into the road to salmon restoration,” says Dana Kemmerling, past CATS participant. 
“The speakers they brought in covered a range of the issues that are important to my community. Then, I was able to use my enthusiasm— and my marketing experience—to help co-workers and friends become inspired to help rip out blackberries and plant native plants along the Sammamish River.”

This program is funded by the King County Flood Control District, directed by the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum and the Cedar/Sammamish/Lake Washington watersheds.

For more information contact:

Kelly Frazee
Sound Salmon Solutions
kellyf@soundsalmonsolutions.org
http://www.soundsalmonsolutions.org/community-action-training-school

Antonia Jindrich
Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group
antonia@midsoundfisheries.org
206-949-6690
https://www.midsoundfisheries.org/wria-8-community-action-training-school-webpage/



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Rain gardens, the health of Echo Lake, and the Parks Bond at the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association Tuesday

Monday, March 15, 2021


Shoreline city staff will be joining the virtual meeting of the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association (ELNA) on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 7pm.

After the business meeting, there will be three different presentations:
  • The health of Echo Lake
  • The city's rain garden program
  • The bond issue details - improving parks and acquiring new park land
ELNA holds meetings - now on zoon - on the third Tuesday of these months: January - June, September - November. In non-pandemic times, there is a picnic on the third Tuesday in July, and Food Truck events in Echo Lake Park in August. 

ELNA is on the web: www.EchoLakeNeighborhood.org on Facebook: Echo Lake Neighborhood and can be contacted by email ELNABoard@gmail.com or message phone ‭(206) 486-5712‬. If you live or work in the Echo Lake neighborhood, send an email or fill out the Contact Form on the website to be added to the contact list for ELNA.



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Provide comments on Shoreline’s 2021 Stormwater Management Program (Plan)

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Echo Lake photo by Michael Wansley

The City of Shoreline invites you to review and comment on the 2021 Stormwater Management Program (Plan)

The City updates this plan annually to comply with requirements of the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit (Permit). 

More importantly, the Plan outlines how the City will manage stormwater in a manner that protects public health and safety, and improves water quality in our streams, lakes, wetlands, and Puget Sound.

This Plan follows the organization of Section 5.C of the Permit, and is broken into the eight sections:
  1. Planning
  2. Public Education and Outreach
  3. Public Involvement and Participation
  4. Mapping and Documentation
  5. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
  6. Controlling Runoff from New Development, Redevelopment & Construction Sites
  7. Operations and Maintenance
  8. Source Control Program for Existing Development
The Permit requires that we submit the Plan to the Washington State Department of Ecology by Wednesday, March 31, 2021, so the public comment period will close on Monday, March 29, 2021

Thank you for helping us finalize this important document. Should you have any questions, please contact:

Stuart Whitford, Senior Surface Water Specialist
City of Shoreline 17500 Midvale Ave N, Shoreline WA 98133
Phone: 206-801-2453 Email: swhitford@shorelinewa.gov


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Free Webinar “Beautify and Care for your Streamside or Lakefront Property”

Thursday, February 18, 2021

Curious about what it takes to return your stream, lake or wetland property to its more natural state? 

Want to learn ways you can support wildlife, enhance your property’s aesthetic, and reduce maintenance needs? 

Don’t miss this FREE 1-hour webinar hosted by King Conservation District for homeowners living along the water. 

Learn from restoration experts about managing your yard to support both the environment and your own needs.

Event Date: February 20, 2021 at 10am

Topics:
  • Minimizing pollution runoff on your property
  • Controlling invasive weeds
  • Utilizing native plants for wildlife habitat and erosion control
  • Adding value and beauty to your yard naturally
Register at https://kingcd.org/

Questions? Contact Nikki Wolf at nikki.wolf@kingcd.org or 425-773-1868.



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The storm brought water as well as wind

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Photo by Phyllis Johnson

Heavy rains filled the creek along 35th in Lake Forest Park, enough to create a mini rapid, and left a temporary pond in the old apple orchard.

Photo by Phyllis Johnson


A new pond in the old apple orchard in Lake Forest Park, following Wednesday early morning storm.



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Restoring a section of McAleer Creek with herbicides and physical removal of invasives

Monday, November 30, 2020

Hand removal and pesticides were used to clear invasives from a section next to McAleer Creek.
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park

The Lake Forest Park Tree Board has recognized invasive species as one of the detriments to the health of our urban canopy. English Ivy for example, suppresses and excludes vegetation better suited for wildlife and native plant species.

In fall 2019, the Lake Forest Park Tree Board applied for and received a grant for $45,000 from the King County Council, administered by King County Waterworks.

The goal of the grant is to restore a section of McAleer Creek along Perkins Way to improve the creek’s water quality and aid in the restoration of Kokanee salmon. 

The grant was officially awarded in May 2020, and the project started shortly after. The grant-related work must be completed by December 31, 2022.

After grant approval, the Tree Board and City contacted the affected landowners to obtain permission to access their property for the proposed work. These permissions were all granted by August 2020. 

During the summer, five ecological restoration companies were invited to bid on the project. Applied Ecology was selected to perform the removal of the invasive plants along the Creek.

Applied Ecology treated invasive plants for four days in August, using both physical removal and targeted herbicide applications. 

Invasive larger trees and/or shrubs such as English Holly and Laurel were injected with pellets of herbicide. 

Aquatics-approved herbicides were employed on the ground surface, and care was taken ahead of their use to isolate and protect native plants already in the area.

Those invasive plants overhanging or right beside the creek were not sprayed but were left for later removal by hand. The company conducted this hand removal over a three-day period in November.

Further invasive removal is scheduled for summer 2021, followed by native plant restoration plantings in both fall 2021 and in winter and fall of 2022.



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Baby otters at Ronald Bog

When you have the feeling you are being watched. There are two kits in this photo.
Photo by Martin DeGrazia

A mother otter has been making appearances around Ronald Bog with her two kits. It's more than a little challenging to get all three in the same photo, but Martin DeGrazia aka Bog Whisperer is working on it.

Freshwater otters are different from the seagoing kind but they have been known to share territory. Photo by Martin DeGrazia

Seems like the only time they are all in frame is when they are swimming in the Bog. You get to see a nose and occasionally some teeth.

Three at once! Photo by Martin DeGrazia

There's a mom and baby in Echo Lake, as well. Probably in their other locations - Twin Ponds, McAleer Creek - but they have not yet posed for the camera.



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Beautify and Care for Your Stream or Lakeside Property webinar

Sunday, November 29, 2020


Beautify and Care for Your Stream or Lakeside Property

Wednesday, December 2, 6:00pm to 7:00pm

RSVP for December 2 (see below)


Learn from restoration experts about managing your yard to support both the environment and your own needs.

Curious about what it takes to return your stream, lake or wetland property to its more natural state?
Want to learn ways you can support wildlife, enhance your property’s aesthetic, and reduce maintenance needs?

Don’t miss this FREE 1-hour webinar for homeowners living along the water. Learn from restoration experts about managing your yard to support both the environment and your own needs.

Topics:
  • Minimizing pollution runoff on your property
  • Controlling invasive weeds
  • Utilizing native plants for wildlife habitat and erosion control
  • Adding value and beauty to your yard naturally

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/webinar-beautify-care-for-your-stream-or-lakeside-property-tickets-120249604805

Note: If necessary, copy the link and paste it in your browser.


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Warning: avoid the water at Echo Lake and Ronald Bog

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Blue green algae at Echo Lake
Photo by Ann Michel


The State Department of Ecology is issuing warnings about toxic algae blooms in Washington lakes.

Locally, Ronald Bog was posted on October 16, 2020 and Echo Lake was posted on October 26, 2020 for blue green algae blooms.

The City of Shoreline has issued an Avoid Contact Advisory and posted signs at the lake.

Blue green algae is present at Echo Lake and it is potentially toxic. The public is advised to avoid contact with the water: please do not wade, swim, or fish in the water. Pets should not drink from the lake - toxic algae could result in extreme illness or even death.

Shoreline's surface water staff continue to monitor local lakes and take samples but the King county laboratory testing has ended for the winter.

Blown by the north wind, the algae in Echo Lake has concentrated at the south end of the lake.


 

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Culvert at NE 178th due for completion by the end of the month

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Photo by Tracy Furutani


Work continues on the installation of the new fish-friendly culvert at the intersection of NE 178th St. and 44th Ave NE in Lake Forest Park, which necessitated the closure of both roads in the area.

Photo by Tracy Furutani

According to City Engineer Neil Jensen, the roads are slated to be open on or before October 30.




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Proposed ordinance amendment to prohibit waterfowl (geese and duck) feeding in Shoreline Parks: Open for comment

Friday, October 9, 2020

The small swimming area at Echo Lake with a tiny scrap of beach. A jagged stone wall at lakeside is to the left. Beyond that is a huge stand of 6 foot tall cattails. Swimming geese crowd the water at the beach with about 30 visible in the photo
Geese congregate at Echo Lake when humans feed them.
The beach was recently closed for several days when the bacteria count was high.
Photo by Pat Deagan


Fecal bacteria in lakes and ponds can occur from a number of sources, including dog, geese, and duck feces. High fecal bacteria levels make waters unsafe for swimming, wading, and for dogs to drink from. 

The City of Shoreline works to keep waters safe for recreation and for wildlife. In the coming months, you'll notice new educational signs at several of Shoreline's parks reminding park-goers to pickup pet waste and to not feed waterbirds. These two actions can dramatically help keep fecal bacteria levels low, and keep our beaches open and safe for park users.

To further support this effort, the City of Shoreline is proposing to update the Shoreline Municipal Code (SMC 8.12) to expressly prohibit feeding waterfowl in Shoreline Parks. Code requiring pet waste pickup already exists (SMC 8.12.280). 

Human feeding of waterfowl can cause unnatural increases in population size, which leads to larger volumes of feces; result in overfed animals that produce larger volumes of feces; and can cause waterbirds to relocate to the beaches where they are fed, resulting in more feces on beaches where park-goers recreate.

If you would like to provide input on this proposed ordinance, please consider using the comment form below. You can also contact Christie Lovelace, clovelace@shorelinewa.gov with any questions.

Comment form




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Localized flooding in Shoreline Friday

Saturday, September 26, 2020

Photo by Heather McLaughlin



Shoreline Public Works crews responding to flooding on Friday, September 25, 2020 at 2:00pm on 185th and 10th. This is looking south on 10th from the new roundabout in the North City neighborhood of Shoreline.




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Echo Lake swimming / fishing beach closed due to high levels of bacteria from wildfowl

Thursday, September 17, 2020

Echo Lake beach closed
Photo by Pat Deagan


The Echo Lake swimming beach is currently closed for recreational activities due to high levels of bacteria. The signs indicating closure were placed by the city of Shoreline just before 9:00am on Thursday. 

People and pets should not swim or wade at this beach, drink lake water, or engage in other water-contact activities.

The closure applies only to the beach area and not to the entire lake.

During the sampling event on Tuesday the 15th, there was a large amount of duck/goose poop present, so it’s almost certainly the source. Staff have removed as much of the waste as possible from the beach area.

A resident observed that a large transitory group of ducks have been in the area recently, so this explains the excessive amount of waste that was observed.

Wildfowl routinely visit the lake but they stay and increase their numbers when people feed them.

On Monday the water will be resampled.




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On the trail to Hidden Lake

Friday, September 11, 2020

Photo by Jo Simmons


Hidden Lake is a man-made water body partially within Shoreview Park. The lake was built in 1920 when Boeing Creek was dammed to create a private fishing pond and small hatchery for Bill Boeing.

At this time the creek's watershed was largely undeveloped. Since then, major development along Aurora Avenue N has greatly increased storm runoff flows to the creek. Increased flows, in turn, have caused erosion issues within the Boeing Creek ravine. Studies have found that ravine side slope soil washed down into the creek by erosion ends up as sediment in Hidden Lake.

The City will be removing the dam and restoring Boeing Creek through the area. The trails are in Shoreview Park.

More information about the project here.




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Water plants at Ronald Bog

Thursday, September 10, 2020



Photos by Hitomi Dames

Hitomi usually spends her time fighting through the brambles at Twin Ponds, but decided to stop by Ronald Bog when she heard that it was open.



She identified the green plants in the Bog as Myriophyllum and said they are all over the edge of the water.


The heron looks very much at home standing in the water and the dragonfly appears to prefer dead leaves.





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Needed: Salmon Watchers

Friday, September 4, 2020

Photo courtesy LFPSF

The Lake Forest Park Stewardship Foundation (LFPSF) and Trout Unlimited are organizing a new salmon reporting effort for North Lake Washington tributaries, including Lyon and McAleer creeks.

At one time King County had a salmon watchers program in which citizens reported on the presence and activities of salmon in many county streams.

Unfortunately, that program ended in 2015 due to lack of funding.

Because information about use of streams by salmon is important for restoration and management, including of kokanee salmon, Jeff Jensen (LFPSF board member and UW Bothell faculty member) is reviving this effort in streams from North Seattle through Woodinville.

Would you like to sign up to report on salmon in one of our local streams?

Becoming a salmon reporter means:

  • Selecting a stream that you are willing to watch for a total of 30 minutes/week from September 1 into sometime in November.
  • Reviewing on-line training materials and attending one or more Zoom meetings
  • Recording data during your observations on a provided form
  • Entering your data into an easy-to-use on-line form


Dr. Jensen and Trout Unlimited will coordinate volunteers, provide training, and manage the reporting website.

If you’re a streamside homeowner this would be a great time to learn more about what’s passing through your backyard.

If you live along a stream and are willing to let others come to survey, let us know!

You can find more information and instructions for signing up at: North Lake WA Salmon Sightings

The time to be watching for salmon is now --please sign up SOON if you'd like to help. 
Dr. Jensen will hold the first zoom training this Saturday September 5, 2020 10:00am
Join Zoom Meeting   https://washington.zoom.us/j/98035661352




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