Black Diamond NOW

Stormwater, Phosphorus and Lake Sawyer

As often stated, protecting Lake Sawyer water quality requires limiting sources of phosphorus discharged into the lake.  Phosphorus is the primary nutrient in lakes that stimulate plant growth, leading to eutrophication - otherwise known as becoming a dead lake.  One way to actually "observe" sources of phosphorus loading is to take a drive around town during heavy rain events.  Fully one third of all phosphorus discharged into Lake Sawyer comes from stormwater during these peak storm events in just a matter of days.

It's been a while since I wandered about in the rain, so I thought I would go out and take a quick look-see, focusing on the Rock Creek watershed where approximately two thirds or more of phosphorus loading into the lake comes from today.  Although I didn't have a turbidity meter with me for taking samples, you can learn a lot simply by observing the clarity and color of the water.  To orient us, following is an aerial photo taken by King County in 2017.  I've added a few labels to help with orientation.

Each of the streams within the Rock Creek watershed are highlighted in blue.  Based on past observations and sampling, I focused first on Ginder Creek as it winds it way down from the John Henry Mine, across SR 169 and on to Rock Creek.  There are two points where stormwater from the mine enters Ginder Creek.  The first is from Ginder Lake.

Even though mining has ceased and reclamation is halted during wet weather conditions in winter months, stormwater continues to flow through two stormwater ponds on site, into Ginder Lake and on into Ginder Creek.   You can see the Morgan Creek residential development to the northwest.  I took a few photos of the creek as it flows through storm drains under the highway.  This is what I saw, labeled on the map as Pic #1.

With no current activity at the mine, there remains a lot of flow and it's quite clowdy.  The cloudier it is (turbidity), typically the higher the phosphorus level.

Then, following the creek south to the intersection with SR 169, another source of stormwater flow from the mine enters via Mud Lake.  First, another map.

Pic's 2 and 3 show significant flows and high turbidity from Mud Lake.  Pic #2

Pic #3

Ginder Creek also has quite a lot of SR 169 stormwater runoff going directly into the stream and full of lots of contaminants.  Pic #4

And finally, two more photos as the creek follows Roberts Drive before going under the road on it's way to hook up with Rock Creek.  Pic #6

Pic #7

And to be clear, no, the above photo is not taken of the city's sewer system.  Fortunately, cleaning up stormwater runoff from SR 169 is included in next year's city Capital Improvement Plan.  In addition, it now appears that Pacific Coast Coal Company is on the path to complete reclamation of the John Henry Mine over the next couple of years.  Once that is completed and then reforested, another significant source of phosphorus currently discharging into Lake Sawyer will be removed.

On the whole:  Good News and have a very Merry Christmas!!!!

The "First Family" of Lake Sawyer

If one family were to be given the honorary title "First Family" of Lake Sawyer, in both name and deed, it would have to be the Carl M. Hanson family.  Swedish immigrants who found their way to Seattle in 1884, Hanson filed a timber claim in 1886 on160 acres at the north end of Lake Sawyer, including the lakeside property where Judy and I now have our home.  Born into a sawmill family in Sweden, Hanson had his sights set on becoming a major player in the pacific northwest timber industry.  Ironically, Hanson and his three sons built their first sawmill not on Lake Sawyer but on Lake Wilderness. 

Image courtesy Maple Valley Historical Society and King County Snapshots, 85.134.1, circa 1887 - 1889

It appears that this photo was taken from the northwest end of the lake looking south from the area now home to the Lake Wilderness Lodge and Park.  If you look closely at the far end, you can see what appears to be sawmill structures.  Not ones to sit still, the Hanson's logged but 5 acres of Lake Sawyer area land and operated the Lake Wilderness mill only until 1889, when they purchased and transferred operations to the White River Sawmill in Enumclaw.  In so doing, they built a major family legacy with the success of the White River mill.  It's interesting to note that even though the mill was eventually sold to Weyerhaeuser, the Hanson family continued to operate it for many years thereafter, leaving the timber supply responsibility with Weyerhaeuser. 

Even though the Hanson family moved their lumber business to Enumclaw, they also left a significant legacy at Lake Sawyer becoming the first to build a significant cabin on the lake in 1926 where they retained ownership for many years.  Today, you can still see the cabin much as it looked when built.  Following are a couple of current photos of the peninsula and cabin.

You can barely see the cabin at the point of the peninsula hidden among the snow covered trees.  We are very fortunately to have these as our views today.  And the good news, the peninsula is now held as a conservation area by current owners and cannot be developed.

For more about Lake Sawyer's First Family, follow this link to Hanson Family by Bill Kombol.

The Mystery of Algae at Lake Sawyer

Reports over the last several weeks have suggested that Lake Sawyer currently is home to a toxic blue-green form of algae which poses a significant danger and health risk, particularly to pets.  However, each time samples were taken of this "toxic material"  by King County and analyzed in the lab, no toxic algae was found in any of these samples at detectable levels.  What gives? 

Following is a photo of what blue-green algae can look like when in bloom (photo not from Lake Sawyer).  Pretty nasty looking stuff.

Though I must admit to not having seen algae like this in the lake, it doesn't mean that it isn't here now or hasn't been sometime in the past.  How can we learn more?  For those interested, you might start by reading King County's publication Algae and Water Quality.  For techies, you might also want to read the paper Download Algae101.  One of the things I learned is that it isn't simple.  Algae comes in all sizes, shapes and colors and what can cause algae growth and blooms in lakes is both simple yet complicated. It's simple in that algae growth requires photosynthesis and the same general conditions as land based plants.  However, like all plants, there are some key variables specific to algae that need to be considered.  For example:

1. Temperature - warmer temperatures in temperate climates like ours facilitate increased algae growth
2.  Nutrients - phosphorus is the most critical in lakes providing the food needed for photosynthesis
3.  Water flows and mixing of nutrients can spur algae growth
4.  Season of the year - longer days and sunny skies promote growth, while short cloudy days and lower temperatures inhibit photosynthesis

I found the following graphic from King County to be particularly helpful in better understanding these relationships in a seasonal context.

Because the reported Lake Sawyer toxic algae blooms have been in October and early November, one would think that there shouldn't be any algae blooms this time of year.  After all, temperatures are declining and there are fewer hours of sunlight.  For those lakes with high levels of nutrients (phosphorus), algae blooms begin early and last through the summer, before declining in the fall.  Fortunately, Lake Sawyer phosphorus concentrations are low and we should expect a seasonal cycle more similar to the "little P" seasonal graphic.  A fall bounce in algae growth can be spurred by increased water flows and mixing. 

For perspective, following is how Lake Sawyer compares with other lakes in King County, with monthly data and trends dating back to 1997.  First for 2018.  The blue buttons are for Lake Sawyer and the black/grey circles are for the other King County Lakes.

The following comparative data shows annual average phosphorus levels from 1997 through 2018.  The 2019 report from King County should be available early next year as part of their annual report.

As you can see, Lake Sawyer is at the lower end of phosphorus levels.  For more Lake Sawyer data, follow this link to Lake Sawyer Water Quality - August 2019 Update.  

So, with fresh water entering the lake this year in September and recent sunshine, it is possible that stirring up of lake nutrients at the bottom along with sunshine and relatively warm water temperatures for this time of year, could result in a fall spike in algae growth like you see in the seasonal chart shown above for "little P" lakes.  In any event, it wouldn't necessarily be abnormal.  But toxic algae???

Some in the community have suggested that development is the cause of recent algae growth, resulting in higher lake phosphorus levels and therefore algae growth.  There has certainly been a lot of development around Lake Sawyer and in other parts of the city.  The Oakpointe MPDs have also been developing their site and building new homes.  Could they be the culprit?  If growth is the problem, its hard to find a smoking gun. Lake Sawyer water quality monitoring reports and data don't support this premise.  In addition, none of the stormwater generated by the Oakpointe MPD's are currently discharged into the Rock Creek watershed that flows into Lake Sawyer.  The two plats currently being developed are Plat 1-A and Plat 2-C, both of which flow into a stormwater retaining pond  that drains south, not north into Rock Creek and Lake Sawyer.  You can see this stormwater pond at the bottom center of the following aerial view from King County.

I have been repeatedly told by King County and state DOE staff that you cannot draw conclusions until you can clearly see trends over a significant period.  No trends in the vast amount of data that we have either, except perhaps increasing water temperatures and clearer lake water as evidenced by trends in Secchi test results.  Ironically, the clearer lake water becomes, and it is getting clearer, the deeper sunlight will penetrate and the further down in the lake photosynthesis can occur.  I'm not arguing that this is the case - merely to point out that there are lots of variables and that a smoking gun cause and effect for algae in Lake Sawyer is not at all clear.  In fact, no test results to date support claims made that algae in the lake is toxic or even that algae growth has increased in the lake.  

What to do?  Keep testing and be vigilant for where we can identify contaminated surface water runoff going into the Rock Creek drainage so that it can be remedied.  As for me, I will continue kayaking around the lake in search of this elusive toxic algae that I have yet to see any signs of.

 

We Have a New Bridge

No, our new bridge doesn't allow us to bypass Maple Valley or Covington during commute hours, but it does improve safety for mountain bikers and hikers in the Black Diamond Natural Area.  Though the bridge has no official name, at least that I am aware of, I've always called it the "slatted bridge" because of the way it was constructed.  Slats placed on top of runners that allowed bikers to ride across and hikers to walk across, but nothing to hang onto or keep you from falling  into Ravensdale Creek.  Thanks to a combination of volunteers and King County Parks, we now have a much safer passage.  Here's how it looked on Saturday.

We have handrails!  The creek itself remains as beautiful and pristine as ever and also where we sometimes see winter run Coho salmon spawning in gravel bars along the creek.  Will begin regular checks on salmon beginning in December when water will be flowing over the weir into Covington Creek in enough volume for salmon to make it up, through the lake and into Ravensdale Creek.

We've seen salmon from the bridge in the past, though the spawning we have seen is a bit further upstream.  If you don't want to use the bridge, you can always use the log crossing, like I do.

Ha, Ha, Ha - no way am I going to make this crossing even scooting along on my butt.  You've got to love all the trails in the Black Diamond Natural Area.  Another of our community's great treasures.

If there is a challenge here, it's that there are so many trails you can easily get lost - not lost-lost but disoriented for sure. 

I always find it easiest to stay as close to the creek as I can, whether on the west side of the creek or the east side.  You can't go wrong this way.  We also now have parking on the west side of SR169 just south of 288th.  If you want to find the new slatted bridge, park here, take the main trail until it reaches the old railroad bed (in the future, this will be part of the Cedar to Green River Trail).  Turn right onto this main trail going north and then left at the first trail that goes west toward the creek.  Follow it along as it reaches the creek and bends south (left), always staying close to the creek and on your right until you reach the bridge.  Enjoy.

 

Nature's Magic

What a great time of year it is right now.  Leaves are turning brilliant shades of red, orange and yellow and falling from trees in bunches.  There was a time growing up when I didn't appreciate all those leaves.  It took time to rake them up into piles and haul them away to compost.  Today, I have a much better appreciation for nature's magic and look forward to time in the mountains to experience the change of seasons.  This weekend, I observed and learned something new - one of the better places to see brilliant colors in the forest now is to visit areas recently logged.  An area recently replanted can be perfect, like this Gifford Pinchot National Forest land shown below.

Young douglas fir trees have been replanted here but this still "leaves" (pun intended) quite a bit of land area at risk of erosion.  Air borne seed from deciduous trees, like alder and maple, help fill the voids and hold the ground until youngster firs can begin their tall reach for the sky and shade out their temporary companions.  So much beauty here right now.  The above photo was taken along Hwy 23 just north of Trout Lake.

And then I return home and look out the window across Lake Sawyer.  I gotta say, this view is pretty tough to beat.

 

 

Lake Sawyer Water Quality - August 2019 Update

King County recently posted updated water quality test results for Lake Sawyer taken through August 2019.  Once again, one cautionary note - we need to focus on trends.  As the historical data shows, sample results can bounce around from sample event to sample event but it takes a period of years for significant issues, either good or bad, to emerge.  Lake water temperatures are a good case in point.  We have test data that goes all the way back to 1993 and trends here couldn't be more clear.

Unfortunately, lake water temperature is a variable over which we have least control, but the adverse impacts on our salmon and trout fisheries are also very significant.  Higher temperatures increase plant growth, decreasing dissolved oxygen levels in the water which further adversely impacts trout and salmon.

Secchi is a measure of water clarity.  A disk is lowered into the lake and when it reaches the point where it cannot be seen, that is the data point recorded.  The lower the disk goes, the better it is.  Current data shows continued positive trends.

Total phosphorus is an important indicator of long term lake health.  The greater the level of phosphorus in the lake, the more plant growth we will see, the less dissolved oxygen there will be and over time, this is how lakes die - a process called eutrophication.  This is also the variable over which we have the greatest control, with the principal source of phosphorus being surface water runoff such as stormwater into Rock Creek and Ravensdale Creek, with highway and development runoff into Rock Creek being the principal bad actor here.  

On the positive side of the ledger, stormwater runoff from SR169 is currently untreated discharging directly into Ginder Creek which flows into Rock Creek and represents a significant share of current phosphorus discharge into Rock Creek.  Thanks to the persistence of City staff and with the help of grant funding, we will soon have stormwater treatment capacity in place to mitigate this source.  In addition, Master Plan Developer Oakpointe is required to meet a phosphorus anti-degradation standard from stormwater runoff from the development.  In other words, they can have zero net impact on phosphorus discharge into Lake Sawyer.

On the other hand, there is now significant development in our city around the lake and elsewhere in town outside the MPDs with potential for significant adverse impact on phosphorus concentrations in the lake.  In addition, stormwater runoff from mining and reclamation at the John Henry mine flows into Ginder Creek and on into Lake Sawyer and also posing significant risk (more about the status of the mine in future posts).

Identifying trends for phosphorus can be the most difficult given the variables of precipitation across the 500+ acre Lake Sawyer watershed, the season of the year and depth of water in the lake.  Following are results from samples taken in May of each year at different lake depths.

Sample results in both May and  August show a lot of variability from year to year, but not a clear trend.

King County will publish an annual water quality report for the lake after the first of the year.  Will pass it along when its available.

Footnote 1:  There is currently no stormwater runoff from Oakpointe MPD's flowing into Rock Creek or elsewhere in the Lake Sawyer watershed.  This will change when development moves to other plats within the property that do drain into Rock Creek but not currently.  

Footnote 2:  The recent scare about potential toxic algae in Lake Sawyer is not substantiated by the facts.  Intensive sampling by King County found algae levels in the lake to be very low and in many cases at nondetectable levels.

More Birds of Prey - Some Odd Shots of Owls

What does a baby Great Horned Owl look like when it first ventures out of the nest?  It looks like it had a rough night!

Taken from a very long distance but managed to get focused on this one's eyes.  These two youngsters were moving about very carefully in the crotch of a tree at the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually Wildlife Refuge.  Both had what looked like a feather "crust" still clinging to them around their head area.  Lots of growing up yet to do for these two.

Fierce predators.  Because most owls are nocturnal and silent hunters of the night, finding and photographing them has for me been very challenging.  Short eared owls in the Skagit Valley have been the easiest to find during the day.

For Burrowing Owls, who also hunt and wander about during the day, Othello is the place to go.  You'll find them burrowed under some old irrigation ditches.

Cute little guys.  Speaking of little guys, try to find a tiny Northern Saw-whet Owl like this one hiding in the bushes at Nisqually trying to get some sleep.  Not much larger than my fist.

This Long-eared Owl was nearly impossible to find and photograph hiding among all the branches.  Finally, it was his eye that blinked open, giving him away.

In Black Diamond, Great Horned Owls seem to be the most common in the forested areas around Lake Sawyer and I have heard reports of a Great Grey Owl.  Though I have heard a lot of them, I have yet to get a decent photo here.  But it's a fun challenge.  Keep your ears open and let me know where you see or hear them.  Thanks

John Henry Mine - The Saga Continues

On April 18, 2018, the Pacific Coast Coal Company (PCCC), based in Seattle, received approval from the Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining (OSMRE), to proceed ahead with surface mining at the John Henry No. 1 mine site located just north of town.  The Washington State Department of Ecology then issued an administrative extension to PCCC's existing NPDES permit, clearing the way for mine reopening.

So what's happened over the last 16 months?

1. NO MINING - After providing notification to all the adjacent residences and property owners of intent to proceed with mining and blasting and with promises that they had buyers for their coal, PCCC has not mined one ounce of coal and now admits to the fact that they have no customers for their coal mined now or in the near future. Remember the sales contract that PCCC presented as "proof" that they had customers for John Henry mined coal?  As several of us commented,  the so called "contract" required the identified "buyer" to buy nothing.  Not even an intent to buy.  But, they say they are still looking for potential customers.
2. NOTICE OF VIOLATION - PCCC received a formal notice from OSMRE that they were in violation of the conditions of the permit issued to them just last year.  Not yet sure about the nature of the violation but am tracking it down.
3. SITE INSPECTIONS - OSMRE is now visiting the site on a monthly basis and DOE on a quarterly basis.  For your reference, I am attaching copies of DOE's last two inspection reports dated March 26, 2019 and June 19, 2019.  It's never a good sign seeing an oil sheen on water draining from the coal washer into Ginder Lake while the inspectors are there.  See the pictures taken by DOE.
4. SOME RECLAMATION HAS BEGUN - Finally.

Based on past experience, I wouldn't get too excited about reclamation having begun.  There are plenty of ways to drag this out.  Reclamation of Stockpile 2 area alone is now estimated to take about two years and there is a lot more to be done in other areas of the property, even excluding the sites to be mined.  Previous estimates were that full reclamation would take just one year following cessation of mining.

DOE was previously planning to have available for public review and input an updated draft NPDES permit for the mine in May of this year.  It now looks like it will take a couple more months and we should have an opportunity to see an updated draft permit in November.

Following are PDF copies of the Inspection Reports:

Download John Henry Mine Inspection Report March 26 2019

Download John Henry Mine inspection report June 19-2019

I will pass along further updates as information becomes available.  Also, for perspective, the last coal mining at the John Henry Mine took place in 1999.   It's now 20 years later - well past when mine reclamation should have been completed.

Lake Sawyer Water Levels - August 2019 Update

As you may have noticed, Lake Sawyer water levels as we near the end of August are about one foot higher than last year at this time and way above the beaver dam days of 2015.    Attached is a recently updated graph prepared by Jack Sperry plotting lake water levels above/below the weir dating back to 1996.  

As you can see, not as steep a drop as we have seen in recent years - at least so far.  Rain in the mountains this time of year is always good.

 

 

Thanks again Jack Sperry and Bob Edelman for keeping us up to date.  For more information about Lake Sawyer weather, follow this link to Bob's website at Lake Sawyer Weather.

Predators

Living in the northwest, we are blessed with nature's bounty.  This includes the cute and cuddly looking bunnies, squirrels and chipmunks that we so love to see, even in our yards, as well as those predators who rely on these same creatures as a staple in their diet.  I didn't think that I'd ever see bears roaming around Lake Sawyer, but so they were this year, even swimming in the lake.  Raccoons are also regular visitors and not to mess with as are river otters and beavers.  We've even seen a weasel in our yard.  But it's birds of prey that we see most often among the predators and their antics can be amazing to watch as they target their dinner of the day.

What's the most amazing bird of prey that we've see while hiking and exploring?  Not eagles and not osprey, though they are so much fun to watch, but I would have to say seeing a peregrine falcon in action was the most exciting.

We saw this peregrine eating dinner after downing it's prey along Shi Shi beach.  Never thought that we would be so close.  Did you know that peregrines are the fastest bird in flight in the world with speeds topping 200 mph.  They literally dive bomb their prey, stunning them with the force of their hits.  They are not big (about the size of a crow) but they sure pack a wallop.  

Eagles, of course, are reining kings of the sky and appear to fear nothing.  Just look at those talons.

For the best form diving, however, it's osprey that win the prize.   And look at the size of the prey they can catch.

This kokanee salmon must weigh 2 or 3 lbs.  A family of osprey take up residency here at Lake Sawyer most of the year, while bald eagles typically head north by mid July or so for summer vacation - and summer salmon runs.  Here's one at Lake Sawyer with a large catfish.  Poor picture but it does show the catfish.

Not quite as glamorous perhaps as peregrine falcons, bald eagles and osprey, we also have quite a few of what I'll call "blue collar" birds of prey of the hawk and owl families that we can see more widely in the Puget sound area.  We even get to see short eared owls in flight during daylight hours.  Very graceful and very powerful.  I wouldn't want to be a rodent with these guys around.

Rough legged hawks are somewhat smaller but fast and also in pursuit of rodents.  Even saw one of these guys hunting at Kelly Butte lookout.

American Kestrels are one of the prettier, though petite, members of the hawk family.  

Kestrel will eat anything from insects (beetles, dragonflies, spiders and butterflies), to rodents, to small birds.  Really really quick.  Too many more to include in this post.  Soooo much fun observing and photographing them all.  One thing they all seem to have in common - so graceful and so determined.

 

 

Lake Sawyer Water Quality Update - May 2019

For those not familiar with water quality testing at Lake Sawyer, in May and August of each year samples are taken to measure three key water quality indicators - Secchi disk, which measures the clarity of water at it's deepest depth, phosphorus which for Lake Sawyer is the key indicator of algae growth and nitrogen which is of lesser importance here.  All three measures are then combined into an overall Trophic State Index.

Following is a chart of phosphorus sample results in May dating back to 2006.

As you can see, samples are taken for phosphorus concentrations at three different depths - 1 meter, 8 meters and 15 meters.  No significant trend during this period either positive or negative (the lower the better).  We have data going all the way back to 1971 where we see much higher phosphorus levels than this during a period when we also had significant and regular problems with algae blooms.  Life is much better today.  We will see sample results again in August.  Because of warmer temperatures and limited flushing of the lake during summer months, we typically see significantly higher phosphorus levels in summer months, particularly at deeper depths.

Measurements taken with the Secchi disk measure water clarity.  The deeper you can see the disk in the water, the clearer and the better.  As you can see, there is a significant positive trend here.  My only concern is how much of this trend is caused by rain patterns which recently have decreased flows into the lake from both Ravensdale Creek and Rock Creek.   

A trophic state index at 40 or below is where we want to be.  The higher the overall index, this means more plant/algae growth and decreased oxygen levels - and fewer fish in the lake.  Phosphorus is a little higher so far this year and lake clarity continuing to improve.  We'll see what August data looks like.  And a reminder - data can bounce around, trends are what we are looking for.

Black Diamond Demographics - Income

How much money do people make who live in Black Diamond?  How does this compare with other communities in the state?  Well, thanks to Bill Kombol who passed along results from a recent study, we now have an answer and it may surprise you.  First, a couple more data points.  The study was conducted in 2017 and ranks the Wealthiest Zip Codes in the Puget Sound Region measured by Median Household Income.  In all, there are 715 zip codes in Washington State and one might expect that the vast majority, if not all of those are located in the Puget Sound Region.  A few wheat farming zip codes in eastern Washington may represent a few outliers, but if you are in the top 10 or even top 100 in the Puget Sound Region, you are more than likely to be in the top 12 or top 120 statewide.

The first surprise from this study was that Black Diamond had the Highest Median Household Income growth, year over year at 23.1%.  Wow, somebody got some extraordinary bonuses or windfall profits from something.  Anybody willing to share with the rest of us?

The second surprise is that overall, Black Diamond ranked 44th among all zip codes with median household incomes exceeding $90,000.  Not exactly Medina but ours is an affluent community to be sure.

Thanks Bill for passing along this interesting data.

Backpacking? Bring Your Bear Canister!

Planning to do some overnight back packing and camping in the mountains this summer?  There are black bears with young cubs in the cascades and even a few grizzly bears in North Cascades National Park.  Bring your ten essentials and add an eleventh - bear canisters to safely store your food and not attract unwanted visitors.  The following photo in Mt. Rainier National Park, with Pinnacle Peak in the background, was taken several decades ago but bears do seem to be as common today as they were in the past, if not more so.

Image courtesy White River Valley Museum, PO-00660, n.d.

Following is a quote from our National Parks: "Proper food storage is essential and required (by law) for the health and safety of humans and animals in North Cascades National Park Complex. Many bears (black bears, but including the occasional grizzly bear) make their home in the North Cascades, and sightings are not uncommon. Bears are opportunistic, omnivorous eaters who will take advantage of easily available food sources, particularly in the fall when they are fattening up for the winter." 

When you stop by the Park Service at Mt. Rainier, North Cascades or Olympic National Park for your backcountry permit, be sure to bring you bear canister.  Hard sided canisters are now required at a number of sites depending on where you are hiking (though they do have a few canisters to lend for use and return for those who forget or were unaware).  You must be able to hang your food out of reach at all back country sites.

With recent reports and sightings of a mother bear and cub here at Lake Sawyer and elsewhere around the community, including one swimming across the lake, keeping food in the house makes sense everywhere in our community too.

 

Lake Sawyer Fishing - Looking Good

Judging from all the boats on the lake this weekend, fishing at Lake Sawyer is pretty good right now.  It may not be quite as good as it was in days past, but that would be tough to beat.

Photo courtesy Tacoma Public Library, Fleming-269, circa 1905

This one was definitely worth being on a postcard!

Black Diamond - 1936 to 2017

What has been happening in Black Diamond looking back over the period 1936 to 2017?  What did our community look like then and how does that compare with the here and now?  King County's iMap Interactive Mapping Tool provides some great points of comparative reference.  Following is an aerial image taken in 1936 spanning from 288th Street in the north to Jones Lake in the south and Lake 12 to the east and Horseshoe Lake to the west.  Not all of this area is within current city limits but the map provides a reasonable framework for visualizing what changes have occurred in our community over the years.  Here's what an aerial view of our community looked like in 1936.

Adding a few photos of well known locations from this time period, 1936 looks like this:

The Lawson coal mine closed in 1910 following the explosion that killed 11 miners and the Black Diamond mines were on their last legs, if not closed, by 1930.  The railroad depot closed in 1925 for passenger service but rail service continued for hauling coal until about 1931.  The mid 1930's and the great depression served to end what I'll call the "resort" era at Lake 12 and Lake Sawyer, but what an era it was. You could even rent bathing suits back then. The Lake Sawyer Mill Company sawmill and logging operations closed the doors in 1934.  Click on the above picture to enlarge and get a better view of these photos and their locations.

Fast forward to 1998 and as one might expect over 60 years, a whole lot of change occurred during this period.

Mining came back to town with Palmer Coking Coal's aggregate mining operation, the Reserve Silica mining operation of silica sand (now closed and in process of reclamation) and of course the John Henry No. 1 Mine which ceased operations in 1999.

Dredging of area lakes seemed to be the order of the day, particularly at Lake Sawyer, with significant parts of the lake dredged to make it more "development friendly".  But the big news was all of the residential development that occurred in our community beginning in the 1950's. The Lake Sawyer area alone added over 600 residential lots as the Neukirchen family (owners of the Lake Sawyer Mill Co.) and other land owners subdivided their land into residential lots.  Our cabin/home was built was built in 1954.  Significant waterfront areas surrounding Lake 12 and Horseshoe Lake were also developed during this period.  In addition, with the development of Morgan Creek, Lawson Hills Estates, Eagle Creek and Diamond Glen, historic Black Diamond also saw significant residential growth.

In 1975, the Black Diamond School District was dissolved and absorbed into the Enumclaw School District.  Grade school age children went to school in Black Diamond with middle school and high school students bussed to Enumclaw (as it is today).  Sawyer Woods Elementary (part of the Kent School District) was built to support the residential growth on the west side of Lake Sawyer, followed by Kentlake High School, which opened in September 1997.

By 2007, King County aerial photographs were now in color.

By 2007, new schools had attracted more residential development in the designated King County urban growth area west of Lake Sawyer.  In this case, land use regulations intended to protect land from development in unincorporated King County didn't quite work.  Lots of homes were built.  The John Henry No. 1 Mine ceased operating in 1999.  No mine reclamation occurred during the 2000 - 2017 period and we can see a big deep lake and spoils piles now on the site.   A significant area of timberlands in the Lake Sawyer watershed were also clear cut during this period.

A decade later in 2017, we can see the beginnings of the 10 Trails Master Planned Development.

Important parts of Black Diamond's history remain with some freshened faces.  Still a wonderful view of Mt. Rainier from the Black Diamond Bakery.  The old railroad station has been remodeled and "reclaimed" into a top notch History Museum befitting our community's coal mining history.  What a great new coal miner statue. Even the historic cemetery received a freshening.  Wonderful library and a brand spanking new elementary school.  Trails for mountain bikers and hikers abound and so do the views from Lake Sawyer.  Fortunately, our community's gift of wonderful wildlife remains including those cute otters, elite osprey fishermen and kings of the sky bald eagles.  4th of July traditions with Uncle Sam at Lake Sawyer and Labor Day festivities also remain.  

It will be interesting to see what this map looks like in 2027.  Fortunately, we have some important measures now in place that hold real promise for our future.  For one, new parks and natural areas are strategically located to protect the Ravensdale Creek sub-watershed and Lake Sawyer water quality.

Forest lands previously logged have recently been acquired by King County and add even more buffer protection.  Much to be thankful for and much to look forward to, including plenty of challenges too.  From where I sit, though, my glass is well over half full.

 

Lake Sawyer Circa 1936

It's seldom that we have an opportunity to see aerial images of our communities as they were dating all the way back to 1936.  Thanks to King County's Interactive Mapping Tool, iMap for short, we get to see what our entire community looked like as it was then and now, with the latest aerial photos taken in 2017.  That's nearly 80 years of our history.  What did Lake Sawyer look like back then and compared to now?  

Here's what Lake Sawyer looked like in 1936.  I've taken the liberty of including images of 4 our lake's iconic sites of the time, including the Lake Sawyer Mill to the northwest, the log dump near the islands on the west side, the Grove resort just south of the islands and Lake Sawyer Paradise resort at the far southwest end of the lake next to what is now Lake Sawyer Regional Park.

There was no dredging in what is often referred to today as the Boot or Cove in the northwest corner, Frog Pond as it was known at the time was dry much of the year, there was no outlet weir and there sure weren't many homes.  The Lake Sawyer Mill company operated until 1937 and we can see how large of a footprint in the northeast part of the lake that it had at the time.  A log dump can also be seen up there too.

Fast forward to 2017 and as expected we can see that a whole lot has changed since 1936 - mostly homes and dredging both north and south.  I should add photos of all the paddleboarders and wakeboarders to this one.

Each time I look at comparisons such as the one above, I find more and more surprises.  For example, the amount of growth to the west of the lake in unincorporated King County and Covington is far greater than I ever thought.  Other obvious changes too as we look south.  Will share more historical images and comparisons in future posts.

Friends of Lake Sawyer - On Vacation or Moving Away?

In the nearly 40 years that we have lived at Lake Sawyer, we could always count on visits from lots of regular friends.  Though I expect that they are still around, it's been awhile since we have seen a few of them.  Maybe I should put up some MOST WANTED posters.  First on my MOST WANTED list are the family of river otters that seemed to visit so regularly during fall and winter months.  They are so fun to watch and a great indicator of healthy water quality.  But, it's been a few years since we have seen them making the rounds.

At one time we had kokanee spawning in Ravensdale Creek - a  fisherman's delight to be sure for both man and otter but kokanee haven't been seen here for 20 years or more and are no longer planted in the lake.  But, trout and bass fishing do seem to be reasonably good, judging from all the cormorants, osprey and fishing boats we regularly see.  So let's hope that our otter friends are just vacationing elsewhere for a little while, letting osprey guard their territory.

A couple of winters ago, a storm wreaked havoc with the eagles nest at the south end of Lake Sawyer next to Frog Lake.  Alas, too much damage done and the eagles haven't been seen nesting here since then.  Though we do still occasionally see them patrolling around the lake, it sure would be great if we could find where they might be nesting now.  Close I hope.

Here's a view of a 3 or 4 month old eaglet taking some practice flights between branches, about ready to leave the nest.  Where else have you seen this before and within walking distance of your home?

Next on my MOST WANTED list are the winter Coho salmon that have historically spawned up Ravensdale Creek.  Four or five years ago, Judy and I were able to find them spawning near the "slatted" bridge.  Quite the spectacle to witness.

The good news - a substantially modernized salmon hatchery downstream at Big Soos Creek is now nearly completed.  Let's hope that increasing water temperatures and more development along Covington Creek don't ruin this important habitat.

So, if you spot any of these "friends" on our MOST WANTED list, please let me know.  It's very important that we keep the welcome mat out - through our actions to protect lake water quality and to maintain the vital wildlife habitat that we now have.

With the old Black Diamond sewer plant no longer discharging into the lake beginning about 1991, with the John Henry No. 1 mine shut down beginning in 1999 and now we have an "anti-degradation" phosphorus discharge limit in place and enforceable with the MPD developer, we have a good shot at protecting the lake.  But, it will take the continued work and vigilance of us all to make that happen. We do have challenges ahead.

John Henry Mine Update April 8, 2019

Update April 8, 2019

Today, I received an update from Gerald Shervey, Industrial Unit Supervisor with Washington State Department of Ecology, regarding schedule for release of a new NPDES permit for the John Henry Mine.  Their current target time frame for having a new draft permit available for public review and input is May.  That's pretty soon.  Good News!

Update April 3, 2019

Last week, the Voice of the Valley published a Public Notice of Pacific Coast Coal Company's (PCCC) planned Blasting Schedule for reopening the John Henry No. 1 Coal Mine here in Black Diamond.  This was a surprise to many of us who having been following mine events, since we were expecting to have an opportunity to provide public input regarding a new NPDES permit that was to be drafted by the Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE).  As a reminder, here is the mine site as it currently sits with spoils piles and surface water monitoring locations shown.  

The area at the bottom left is within Black Diamond city limits and the remainder within King County.  Total site area is 480 acres.  Confused as to what is happening, I contacted Glenn Waugh with the Office of Surface Mining (OSMRE).  OSMRE is the federal agency who issues both the Blasting Permit and Mining Permit.  He explained that the Blasting Permit is required when mining resumes.  In addition to forewarning people of the noise, it provides those homeowners within a certain distance of the mine's blasting operations to have their sites surveyed and documented in the event later cracks or crevices in the ground appear as a result of blasting operations. Each of these homeowners received a letter of notification directly addressed to them.

As to why a Blasting Permit is proceeding ahead with no NPDES permit yet issued by DOE, he explained that the NPDES permit issued for the mine dating back to 2013 remains valid today and until such time as a new permit is issued.  This is Washington State law, not federal law, and is confirmed by a letter from DOE to PCCC dated May 16, 2018.   So, once PCCC received final approval from OSMRE to proceed with mining, which they now have, they can operate under the old NPDES permit until such time as a new NPDES permit was forthcoming from DOE.  

I then contacted DOE, but have yet to hear back.  Will keep you apprised as I learn more.

Lake Sawyer Grove Circa 1930

The "resort season" will soon be here.  Have you been to the Lake Sawyer Grove lately?  Guaranteed to have a wonderful time.

Image courtesy Washington State Historical Society, 2002.56.2, circa 1930

The Grove was one of two resorts at Lake Sawyer in the 1920's and 1930's and is currently home to Rebecca and Ron Olness.  

Photo from my personal collection, taken by Asahel Curtis, June 1925

About time to get those paddle boards out.

A Walk in the Park - March Update

Though Judy and i experienced snow week one in February, we missed the 3 or so snow weeks since then until returning last weekend.  My oh my, what an impact recent snows have wrought on Lake Sawyer Park.  In February, I heard redwing blackbirds chirping away and beginning to nest at Frog Lake.  Trees and trails were in great shape, even after the first snow.  It's a whole different story today.  Trees and limbs are down everywhere.  Though city staff has cleared the trail allowing access from the parking lot to the lake, other trails that we regularly use are virtually impassable.  Forget trying to hike around Frog Lake or along the trail paralleling Ravensdale Creek.  I almost got lost today, trying to forge my way through.  Dozens and dozens of trees down and branches strewn everywhere.  And for now, at least, forget trying to listen for redwing blackbirds.  They apparently got smart and headed south for a while looking for warmer climes.  Only the hard core stayed, led by the army of coots that I would just as soon see heading north.  And of course, those noisy and hardy Steller's Jays continue to make their presence known with their screeching voices.

Other than a couple of Buffleheads, a pair of Mergansers, several year round resident grebes, a few solitary bachelor ducks and some red robins, there wasn't much to see today as the sun began to shine.

Thanks to city staff for keeping the park accessible. 

Cleanup is going to take a while.