Riparian sites, those located at the interface between land and rivers/streams, have long been known to be critical for salmon habitat recovery and flood plain management. Restoration in some cases means the removal of man made structures such as levees and impervious surfaces. In others, the priority is planting trees to shade out invasive species and cool water temperatures. In others, it can mean buying land and expanding natural flood plains. Do these remedies work? How do we know? It can take years to see a measurable difference.
Fortunately, regular water quality monitoring in the Green River and other local watersheds has been ongoing for quite a few years - and these measures show improvement, despite continued population growth. For volunteers like many of us, we have to approach site clean up and tree planting as a matter of faith. A sore back and bleeding legs and arms from 10 foot tall Himalayan blackberry vines are battle scars worn with pride. No chemicals for the hardcore among us. We pull them out by their roots. Take that you suckers! Until they grow back of course, though in smaller numbers. We know we'll be back next year. Is it worth it? Are we making a difference?
You bet, we are making a difference. Just take a visit back to sites that you worked on 5 years ago or even less. We recently visited 3 sites along the Green River where we volunteered a few years ago, removing invasives and planting trees. Following is photo of Soos Creek just downstream of the fish hatchery. Thousands of willow stakes were planted here. This used to be nothing but blackberry vines. Most are shaded out now with just a few remaining.
Did you know that willows can grow 8 to 10 feet per year. The following is a photo of what used to be open land at what is called Auburn Narrows. We got lost in here.
You may have seen the site just to the southeast of the Highway 18 bridge. Only 3 years ago it was nothing but blackberries and a pretty rough parking area for fishermen. Here, a matting was laid down over an area that was mowed, with plantings then added. Now we even have flowers.
With winter rains approaching, there will be many opportunities for volunteering. Lots of fun and making a difference. For more information, contact our friends at the Green River Coalition or King County DNRP.
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