Black Diamond NOW

Garden Harvest Disaster - Where's My Corn?

Thanks to the wind storm this past weekend, our corn is in disarray.  After nuturing our crop through the summer, we now face total loss.  I'm not sure that corn was meant to grow at a 90 degree angle to the ground.  Oh well - at least we subscribe to Mosby Farm's CSA where we are able to get a box of veggies every week.  They have been great including providing their own fresh corn.  Perhaps I'll put beets in this space next year.

Maybe there is yet hope for a few ears of corn this year, if we are lucky.

 

Low Impact Development - What Does This Mean?

The above graphic, courtesy of Low Impact Development.org is one way to explain the concept of LID.  But what does this really mean?  This is my take.  Historically, stormwater management practices have been driven by what I call a big pipe engineering philosophy - collect it and discharge into our streams, lakes and sounds.  Maybe we can install big ugly stormwater ponds to limit peak flows, but that's about it.  In contrast, LID focuses more on point source controls of stormwater - reduce the volume of flow and put it back into the ground, not into our streams and lakes. It requires a decentralized approach to stormwater management rather than a big centralized approach - with all of those catch basins to maintain.  For many engineers schooled in the wastewater industry where big and centralized is good (King County's approach to wastewater treatment is a good example), decentralized can be a significant paradigm buster.

To better illustrate and borrowing from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) website, let me summarize common LID runoff control objectives:

• Minimize disturbance
• Preserve and recreate natural landscape features
• Reduce Effective impervious cover
• Increase hydrologic disconnects
• Increase drainage flow paths
• Enhance off-line storage
• Facilitate detention and infiltration opportunities

For engineers that like to engineer big things, this is a major shift in focus and requires very different skills.  The good news for property owners and developers is that LID practices can typically both reduce cost while reducing the polluting/fisheries destroying impacts of stormwater.  Again, drawing from NRDC, following are perhaps the 10 most common LID practices:

1. Rain Gardens and Bioretention
2. Rooftop Gardens
3. Sidewalk Storage
4. Vegetated Swales, Buffers and Strips; Tree Preservation
5. Roof Leader Disconnection
6. Rain Barrels and Cisterns
7. Permeable Pavers
8. Soil Amendments
9. Impervious Surface Reduction and Disconnection
10. Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

If you follow this blog, you will find many of these practices addressed - both the theory and reality.  To search, just follow the Sustainability Category. 

Does everyone buy into LID?  The answer is no.  A decentralized approach to stormwater management is viewed by some engineers and bureaucrats as sexy but ineffective.  I'll explore this perception in future posts.

p.s. - recent rains have given me an opportunity to see how our rain garden and cisterns were performing.  Bottom line - great!  Will do a post later this fall showing all the new plant growth we now have in our raingarden.  Really cool.

Lake 12 - A Lake With No Name

I recently learned that what we now know as Jones Lake located just west of SR 169 was once known as Lake 14.  Apparently in the early days it was common to give lakes an identifying number just as many of the coal mines were numbered at the time.  But what happened at Lake 12?  Why didn't it ever get a real name?  What should the lake be called?

For more about the history of Lake 12, follow these links to Lake 12 - Circa 1925 and Profitable Pleasures At Lake 12. 

Photo taken from King County's public boat launch area.  No motorized boats allowed.

Howard Hanson Dam To Operate At Full Capacity This Winter

According to a press release from the Army Corps of Engineers, the Howard Hanson Dam will be operating at full capacity this winter.  Although more repairs may still be in the works, the Corps has concluded that "at this time, the Howard Hanson Dam presents no immediate threat to people and property below the dam."  I expect that all of the farmers, homeowners and businesses in the Auburn and Kent Valleys are breathing a big sigh of relief. 

For background, the Howard Hanson Dam is located on the upper reach of the Green-Duwamish River, 63 miles above the river's mouth as it discharges to Elliott Bay.  The dam serves several purposes.  It is the city of Tacoma's municipal watershed and the principal source of supply for the Covington Water District, which serves many of us in our community.  It will also be the primary source of supply in future years for Black Diamond as new growth occurs.  In addition, the dam serves to provide flood risk reduction and for augmentation of flows during the summer and fall for protecting fish habitat.

Local Business Focus - Browns Automotive

One of our community's best kept secrets is Browns Automotive.  Located a bit out of the way next to the Lake Sawyer Grocery Store and Rooters Restaurant, Browns Automotive offers an exellent local alternative for car care in Black Diamond.  As I am on the Finance Committee, I see and must approve all City invoices.  Given that Police department vehicles have been maintained by Browns Automotive for the past couple of years, I am familiar with the name but had never availed myself of their services in the past.  The above picture is from a mailer that I trust most of you receive.  It offers some very good discounts and they are local, so I decided to give them a try.  What I can report is that I found Browns Automotive to be very capable, professional and competitively priced - the same feedback I get from our Police Department.  I will definately be a repeat customer.  For the value involved, I encourage you to at least give them a try.  Doing business local is something that we can all do to support our community.  If you need an extra discount coupon, let me know and I will be happy to provide.

Our Aging Infrastructure

Interesting chart.  In times of budget crisis, the easiest cuts are in maintenance and infrastructure.  Is there a price that we must all pay in our future?  Schools and roads come immediately to mind.  I wonder how this chart compares to that of European states.

Auburn Narrows Restoration - Some History

Thanks again to King County Property Services and their iMap feature, I thought it would be fun to see what this property located just west of the Hwy 18 bridge across the Green River looked like historically.  The following aerial photo was taken in 1936.  Click on the photo to enlarge.

Pretty much farmland.  Notice how wide the Green River was back then, no doubt due to the frequent flooding.  At some point, levees were installed in this stretch of the river to protect these farmlands from seasonal flooding.  Also, note that the Hwy 18 bridge appears to be nothing more than a country road back then.

Fast forward to 2002 and we have pretty much the same picture except that active farming had ceased by this time and the impact of channeling of Green River flows can clearly be seen.  The current Hwy 18 bridge is also very visible.

As shown in the photo that follows, site restoration efforts began in 2005.

Three major efforts were begun.  1st was the dredging of a small side stream that young salmon could use for protection and to get food on their way to Puget Sound and the Pacific Ocean.  The sidestream is shown in the upper center left of the graphic.  From what I understand, no sooner was this sidestream established but they found young fish hiding and feeding - essential habitat if they are to survive their long journey.  The second part of restoration focused on wetlands restoration.  Thus we find the pond like area and other site work.  Finally, the levee was removed and much of the site work we see above was involved with filling in areas with soil taken from the levee.

Next is an aerial view from 2007.

By this time, tree planting had begun on a large scale and the side stream was really maturing as were wetlands areas. 

I haven't found a suitable current aerial photo but can tell you from my site visit a couple of weeks ago, this site has changed dramatically since then.  So much more tree canopy and bird habitat.  For those who missed my earlier post re Transfer Mitigation Credits and current restoration activities, follow the link.  This site is a great work in progress.

Garbage Collection - Then & Now

Earlier, I did a post regarding King County's Solid Waste Rate Proposal.  This got me to wondering what solid waste collection was like in the early 1900's during our community's formative years.

Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, James P Lee photo collection, PH COL 294, circa 1915, Seattle

Garbage trucks were also beginning to be used during this period, the following photo also courtesy of University of Washington Libraries.

If you are like me, a little humor would be most welcome right now.

A man and his wife were sitting around the dinner table discussing what she would like him to get her for her birthday.  Long wanting a flashy new sports car, she suggested that she would really like something that can do zero to 200 in under 4 seconds.  After considerable thought, he bought her a bathroom scale.

Now a true story from last week.  After procrastinating for a long time, I finally went in to get my new "smart" phone and join the 21st century.  Being in the construction business, we are still a bit retrograde and value the durability of Nextel armada dumb phones over today's higher technology.  Afterall, if you accidently drop your phone down a sewer manhole never to be recovered, as I have admittedly done serveral times, what's the loss?  So, I finally decided to break from this standard and trust that I could handle it.  So, after we went through all of the options and agreed upon a phone model, features and plan, the young lady who helped me get set up offered the following parting advice:  "If you any have problems and want to learn more about the phone's capabilities, just ask your grandchildren".  WHAM - that pretty well sums it up.

Updated Lake Sawyer Hydrograph

Thanks to Jack Sperry, the above hydrograph shows us that lake water levels at the weir are declining this year, though a little later than the average year.  As you will recall, the year 2010 was pretty unusual.  Thanks Jack for the update.

Boat Launch Update - Repairs Are Complete

Good news, repairs to the Lake Sawyer boat launch were completed last week.  Thanks to City Staff and the contractor for completing this job ahead of schedule.  Big improvement!

Green River Stream Flows

At this time of year, the Howard Hanson Dam substantially curtails flows into the Green River.  This is the primary source of water for the City of Tacoma and snowmelt is now down to a trickle.  During peak periods like this past spring, flows typically run on the order of 2,000 to 2,100 cfs (cubic feet per second), which is just below flood stage in the Auburn and Kent valleys.  Today, flows are closer to 300 cfs and you can easily walk across the Green at many places in the Gorge.  Kyaking today would be problematic.  The USGS web site is full of current and historical data.  The following graph shows current flow rates compared to historical averages.

Garden Harvest Fun

Intense reading right now with MPD Development Agreement Hearing Examiner findings released yesterday.  But, thought you might enjoy a picture of one of our recently harvested potatoes.  Believe it or not, the seed potatoes came from Irish Eyes.  I always thought the Irish had green eyes?  It turned into great potato salad!

Lawson Hills and The Villages Master Planned Developments - Development Agreement Hearing Examiner Recommendations

To review the recommendations of the Hearing Examiner following recent public hearings regarding the proposed Yarrow Bay MPD Development Agreements, follow this link.  The schedule and rules for closed record hearings to be held before the Black Diamond Diamond City Council will be addressed at the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting tommorrow evening - Thursday, Sept. 15 starting at 7 pm.

Lake Evaporation - How Much Of A Factor In Fluctuating Lake Sawyer Water Levels?

It's that time of year when water levels in Lake Sawyer begin to decline significantly.  Lower flows into the lake are a big factor - beavers have pretty much damned up Rock Creek so nothing is flowing into the lake from Frog Lake right now.  Beavers have also been active in Ravensdale Creek, further constraining flows rates here, though some inflow continues.  Although there may be leakage at the weir outlet, what would be the primary cause for continued decline in lake water levels right now?  Evaporation?

The engineering formulas for calculating the precise impact of evaporation on lake water levels are pretty complicated and require lots of data - data that we just don't have.  But we do have evaporation data calculated as part of the environmental impact assessment for the John Henry Mine on Pit #1, which is the large lake we see on the mine property (33.7 acres total surface area).  If we assume that evaporation conditions on Lake Sawyer are similar to that of the John Henry Mine Pit #1 lake, and there shouldn't be a lot of inherent difference here, we might expect a total evaporation impact over a 12 month period on the order of 24" at Lake Sawyer.  Most of this evaporation occurs in the June to August time frame.  Following is a summary of calculated evaporation rate impacts on the John Henry Mine Pit #1 lake throughout the year:

• Dec. - Feb.         -1.4"
• Mar. - May          -6.6 "
• June - Aug.        -11.9"
• Sept. - Nov.        -4.1"

So, with much diminished flow now into the lake from Ravensdale Creek and no flow from Frog Lake/Rock Creek, we might be seeing on the order of 1 foot of water level decline in the lake as a result of evaporation during the summer and early fall.  Based on data supplied by Lake Sawyer Weather, current water levels are just 3.7" below the weir.  This likely reflects higher than normal flows into the lake earlier this summer.  It will be interesting to see how lake water levels track through the rest of the year given our ever variable climate.  As of today, Lake Sawyer water levels still remain high for this time of year by most historic standards.  I am hopeful that Jack Sperry can again provide us with a recently updated hydrograph for the lake.

Footnote: One factor not accounted for above is groundwater supply to Lake Sawyer.  We know that springs do supply fresh water to the lake, but we (or at least I) don't know what volume of lake inflows this might account for.  Worth doing more research here.  In addition, in a big step forward for our City's water quality monitoring program, Aaron Nix, City Natural Resources & Parks Director, is now measuring on a weekly basis flow volumes into Lake Sawyer from both Ravensdale Creek and Frog Lake.  The amount of flow has been calibrated to the water levels in each of the culverts entering the lake.  Now we can both look at concentrations of phosphorus (e.g., mg/L) and total mass loading (kg/day, kg/year).  This is critical to meeting Lake Sawyer TMDL limits which are based on total mass loading expressed as total kg/year.  EXCELLENT! 

Trivia Question:

How much water has the earth gained or lost in the last 10,000 years?  First correct answer wins a $25 gift certificate for dinner at Mama Passarelli's.

Boat Launch Happenings

After seeing what appeared to be yellow pontoons over at the boat launch, I decided to wander over and investigate progress with repairs.  The first thing I saw was this huge crane.  What in the world?

I also observed several vehicles with Divers Service written on them.  Hmm - this project is a lot more complicated than I thought it would be.  As it turns out, the work going on at this stage appears to be focused on removing the old materials.  A jack hammer is required to break stuff loose but since it is all under water, it is not a simple task.  To solve the problem, the contractor has brought in both a crane and a divers service.  A jack hammer type mechanism that can operate underwater was also called for and is suspended by the crane.  Divers place the jack hammer device over the area to be broken up and away they go.  Interesting process - lots of what looked like steam rising up out of the water as operations progressed.  An excavator then scoops out the debris and so goes the process.

Notice the diver.  Also, you might notice the yellow barrier.  I expect that this is the equivalent of silt fencing that you see placed at construction sites to prevent stormwater runoff, except that here its under water and maintained in place by the pontoon like barriers.  Nice to see our lake being protected.  One more picture - the following shows the premanufactured panels that will be installed once the debris has been removed.  I'm sure that we all look forward to a much improved boat launch facility.

 

A Big Picture Of Greater Black Diamond's Natural Resource Gems

In the last year, I have focused a number of posts on the wonderful natural resource areas we have available to us in our community - open space, trails for hiking, biking and equestrian use, unique wildlife habitat areas, numerous lakes, streams and fisheries and Agricultural Production Districts/Preservation areas.  So much of our area is unspoiled with many acres set aside and protected for the long term.  Using King County's Property Services web site, you can see where these areas are and just how close they are to Black Diamond.  Use the iMap feature if you want to explore yourself.  The following overhead aerial views were taken in 2005.  To make it easier to get your bearings, I included major highways, highlighted county and state parks/open space areas and identified many of our area lakes.

By clicking on the picture, you will be able to enlarge it and locate these features more clearly.  Notice that you can see Kanaskat Palmer State Park on the far upper right, Jellum, the one lane Green River Gorge bridge, Hanging Gardens area, Beaver Lake (the subject of several posts regarding current restoration efforts there) and then on to Flaming Geyser State Park as you move west along the Green.  Nolte State Park is shown just above the label for Muskrat Lake, though the lake there is today more commonly known as Deep Lake.  The Franklin Heritage Area is also not labeled but is the green area on the north side of the Green River just southwest of the single lane Green River Gorge bridge (by the Green River Gorge Resort).  Sinkhole Lake shown just above Beaver Lake is now more commonly known as Dandy Lake.

By reducing the iMap enlargement a bit further, we can get an even broader view of our watershed extending further west of Flaming Geyser.  Covington Creek, the outlet of Lake Sawyer, flows into Soos Creek prior to merging with the Green.

One of the interesting things for me about this picture is that it shows just how close the Green River and White River are today - perhaps less than 5 miles separating them at one point.  As you may recall, at one time they merged into one river flowing to Elliott Bay and Puget Sound.  But in the early 1900's floods, which were common at the time, formed a new channel for the White River and it now flows south into the Puyallup. 

The Cedar River also once flowed into the Duwamish River.  But, with the dredging of the ship canal connecting Lake Washington to Puget Sound, the Black River dried up and the Cedar now flows directly into Lake Washington.  Salmon that once spawned up the Duwamish, into the Cedar or through the Black River into Lake Washington now have a totally different path that they must follow - and they have to make it through the ship canal locks to boot.  Aah, the hand of man has had no small impact on our fisheries.  The following graphic illustrates this.

 

A Few Pictures From Shadow's Frog Frolic Event Earlier This Saturday 9/10

The varieties of moss in the bog are amazing.

Four varieties in this one picture.

Mounds upon mounds.

And the forest cover is incredible by itself.  For more on SHADOW (Save Habitat and Diversity of Wetlands), follow the link above.  Great place with a wonderful education program.  Thanks all for a fun day. 

The music, food and people were awesome.  Sorry, I focused these pictures on what I love - the native ecology at SHADOW.  Next time will publish more pictures about the people who have done so much to create this special protected area so that we can all enjoy it.

Transfer Mitigation Credits (TMCs) - A New Tool For Achieving Environmental Mitigation?

Above is a picture taken on Thursday of Auburn Narrows, a site owned by King County along the Green River just west of the Hwy 18 bridge.  As shown above, parts of this site are totally infested with reed canary grass, canada thistles and other weed invasives.  Over the years, King County has undertaken significant efforts to restore the site (encompassing several hundred acres) to a more natural environment, targeted at improving fisheries, wetlands remediation and habitat restoration.  Results to date are impressive with several levies along the river removed or lowered and thousands of trees planted.  Migrating young salmon now have a natural environment in which to feed, grow and hide on their way to Puget Sound and ultimately the Pacific Ocean.  But much remains to be done.  It is a long term effort as all restoration projects tend to be.  The Middle Green River Coalition (MGRC) recently received a grant to complete Phase 5 of this restoration at Auburn Narrows in the area pictured above, partnering with King County to do the work consistent with County specifications.  Earlier this year, I reported on similar grant funded efforts by the MGRC for restoration of Beaver Lake - for more information on Beaver Lake restoration, follow this link and this link.  I will post more on Beaver Lake project progress as well as Auburn Narrows in the future.

So what are Transfer Mitigation Credits or TMC's?  Well, at this point they are little more than concept with a long ways to go yet before they become formally adopted as an accepted program. As a starting point for the concept, you may wish to familiarize yourself with the County's Transfer Development Rights (TDR) program.  TDR's are a tool long advocated by the Cascade Land Conservancy for preserving and conserving public open space and forestland free from urban development pressures. The concept of Transfer Mitigation Credits or TMC's differs in that it recognizes that while county, state and federal acquisition of land helps us preserve many environmentally critical lands, these lands in the past have often been "abused" by prior owners or uses and require significant efforts focused on "restoration" to achieve their full benefit and potential.  These lands sitting idle as they often do does little to enhance our fisheries, wildlife habitat or open space that benefits the public.  Beaver Lake and Auburn Narrows are great examples.  Fully restored, these sites offer huge environmental and people benefit, but restoration is a critical need.

So where does restoration money come from today?  First, from environmentally focused organizations such as REI (one of the grant providers for Beaver Lake Restoration).  Second from local government agencies such as King County, but as we know, these funds are increasingly scarce.   Lastly, and where I believe significant future potential lies is where builders are seeking LEED certified status or where builders and developers are seeking to mitigate otherwise adverse environmental impacts of their development in urban areas.  To achieve LEED certification requires that significant adverse environmental impacts be mitigated.  In urban areas, development mitigation options can often be cost prohibitive - meaning that an otherwise valuable project for the urban community can't move forward.  However, if "equivalent" mitigation can be achieved by land acquisition and/or environmental restoration efforts in other areas of the county, we can end up with a big win.  The environment wins and many projects otherwise unaffordable, can now become affordable.  We often see a huge urban/suburban/rural divide in King County.  One way to minimize this divide - allow TMCs. 

Why TMC's through organizations such as MGRC?  Very simple - much of the work we are able to do as a qualified 501 c 3 non-profit is through volunteer efforts and contractors willing to discount their normal fees for the benefit of the public.  One clear example:  our MGRC grant for Beaver Lake Restoration efforts totals $20,000.  However, the amount of work done to-date at Beaver Lake in contractor hours and volunteer equivalent dollars easily exceeds $60,000.  TMC's help us achieve this incredible financial leverage - totally local, no Wall Street here.

Give it some thought.

P.S. - I should give some credit for the TMC concept to Andy Williamson with the City of Black Diamond (though no blame attributed) who has served as an excellent "foil" as we debate environmental mitigation issues within our community.

Signs Of The Times

With most waking hours these days devoted to reviewing MPD Development Agreement proposals and testimony, I'm in the mood for a little humor.

Join SHADOW For Their 15th Annual Frog Frolic

For those not familiar, SHADOW is short for Save Habitat and Diversity of Wetlands.  The organization was formed to promote the preservation and protection of wetlands for future generations.  As one of the few remaining peat bogs in King County, Shadow Lake Bog offers an amazing learning experience.  The total preserved site encompasses over 92 acres and is truly unique and fascinating.  The bog boardwalk is 600 feet long.  See 27 different varieties of moss, an ancient peat bog and carnivorous plants.  Learn that things don't rot in a bog; they mummify!  For more information on SHADOW's education program and partner MGRC, follow this link to Environmental Education At It's Best.

Though it has a Renton address, its actually quite close to Maple Valley.  For directions, follow this link.  Following are a couple of pictures I took earlier this summer.

Hope to see you there.  It's quite a site.