Drops
Of
Water
Issue 30 May 1999
The first people to find errors in spelling or word structure receive a free map of the Chehalis watershed. Send us an e-mail note telling us about the error.
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Welcome
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Issue 30 May 1999 |
This newsletter appears monthly in 45,000 households throughout the watershed. Printing is done by The Chronicle, and distribution is by the Chronicle, the Olympia Daily Olympian, the Tenino Independent, the Rochester Sun News and the Aberdeen Daily World. This is an early edition available only to WWW users. Please send us your Drops of Water feedback.
The first people to find errors in spelling or word structure receive a free map of the Chehalis watershed. Send us an e-mail note telling us about the error. |
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Trivia form the April Issue
1. What is "At Ocean's Edge: Coastal Change in Southwest Washington?
2. When was the first Earth Day held?
3. What other names do the dog, silver and king salmon that Mr. Kelly wrote about go by?
4. Can you computer help you find out more about drinking water?
JOKES
Knock, knock.
Charlotte.
Charlotte of mosquitoes out tonight!
Knock, knock.
Amos.
Amos-quito just bit me!
Knock, knock.
Andy.
Andy bit me again.
Knock, knock.
Weevil.
Weevil see you real soon!
Across
1. Square or Granny
5. Sound of laughter
10. A single unit, as on a grocery list
11. Great body of salt water.
13. Plural pronoun
14. Hen fruits
19. Cleansing agent
20. Not woman
22. Roman gown
23. Backward-circling current.
26. British farewell.
27. Offering a choice: either, __
29. Direction Texas is from Washington
30. Rainier, or Adams
Down
1. To be certain
2. Friendly; kind
3. Before two
4. Little girls have ___ parties.
5. Greeting
6. In or on
7. Male pronoun
8. I ___
12. Bird house
15. Mistake
16. Joke
17. Mineral spring
18. Also
20. Was introduced to
21. ____ and Eve
24. Me and ____
25. Ballpoint ____
28. Registered nurse
29. Spanish for 'yes'
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"Our Changing Nature", WaDNR, 1998
There is a false impression that water availability is not a problem in Washington. It is true that during the winter and spring there is frequently more water than natural channels and reservoirs can hold. Flooding at those times of year is common. In the summer, however, we have little precipitation, water flows are diminished and water shortages are not uncommon.
This natural weather pattern itself is not a problem. Rather, problems arise from some of our land-use activities and the ways we use water. For example, filling wetlands means less natural retention of floodwaters in the winter; less retention lowers stream flows in the summer. Withdrawing water for irrigation or drinking further reduces stream flows. Impervious surfaces associated with development allow less water to percolate back into the ground to recharge underground water supplies, and lead to more surface runoff. As population growth and development continue, these problems will only be magnified.
Increased population and development put additional pressure on water supply systems to provide domestic water. But new water sources are difficult and expensive to develop, and they may not even be available in some parts of the state. Some watersheds are closed to new water-rights appropriations. Add to this the recent multiple listings of fish under the Endangered Species Act; if a stream contains endangered fish, Withdrawing more water could further harm or kill these fish. In some cases, restoring natural flows may be necessary to help declining fish stocks recover. The result is that even fewer sources of water are available to meet all our demands.
The state Department of Ecology has determined that about half the state's area now has insufficient water to support all the needs of people, plants and animals. The water in 250 streams is already over allocated. That is, too many rights for water from these streams have been issued, and when all the rights are fully exercised there is not enough water left in the stream for fish and wildlife. This situation frequently occurs in some basins around the state. There are approximately 350 lakes and streams closed to further withdrawals; another 100 are closed part of the year, particularly in the summer.
Thousands of small wells (those withdrawing fewer than 5,000 gallons per day) are drilled each year. About 8,000 were drilled in 1996, most of them in urbanized counties. These wells, which make up about 90 percent of the wells drilled each year, are exempt from the requirement to get a water right permit.
Some of these wells are the best or only possible source of water for a residence. However, in some cases, wells are drilled to bypass the permit process, to avoid drinking-water regulations, or as a cheaper alternative to water supplied by an existing utility. Such wells can undermine efforts to concentrate growth in or near urbanized areas, can leave groundwater vulnerable to pollution, affect public health, and threaten the availability of nearby water sources.
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"Our Changing Nature", WaDNR, 1998
Water is essential to life as we know it. We rely on water to irrigate crops, and for recreational activities such as fishing, boating and swimming. Water provides habitat for fish and wildlife. We harness water to provide hydroelectric power for homes and businesses. And the 5.6 million people living in Washington require safe, clean sources of drinking water.
The sheer number of people in the state, and the activities we undertake, contribute to the pollution of fresh water. Significant sources of pollution include: 5.2 million vehicles on 80,000 miles of public roads; more than 36,000 farms on 15.7 million acres of land; 767 commercial dairies with 260,000 cows; 275 municipalities with existing residential, commercial and industrial sources; and about 40,000 additional houses built each year.
Pollution comes in part from point sources, such as industrial or municipal outfalls, or from many separate nonpoint sources, such as runoff from roads, lawns, parking lots and pastures.
Point sources operate under specific permits, which place limits on the types and amounts of pollutants allowed to be released into water. While violations of permits and regulations do sometimes occur, federal legislation has been a positive step toward preventing or limiting some very toxic pollutants from entering our water systems.
Nonpoint sources generally result from land-use activities. Pollutants are washed from land by rain and melting snow into streams, lakes, marine waters and groundwater. Land-use activities also affect the amount and velocity of runoff. Because nonpoint sources are many and widely scattered, it is more difficult to identify specific causes and develop solutions.
The primary sources of nonpoint pollution are not factories or sewage treatment plants, but our everyday activities, such as fertilizing our lawns and driving cars. Our increasing population will compound the problem. Since there are a multitude of sources of nonpoint pollution, the solution lies with individuals. Each person can make a difference by making simple changes, such as using less water, minimizing or eliminating the use of home and garden chemicals, cleaning up after pets, keeping cars well-maintained and driving less.
Washington is considered among the poorest of our nation's states in several key water quality indicators. It has the third-highest number of water systems violating the Safe Drinking Water Act. A major reason for this is the extremely large number - more than 13,000 - of small public water systems in the state.
Groundwater is the source of drinking water for 60-70 percent of our state's citizens. As the population continues to increase, there will be increased pressure to use groundwater as a source of water supply. Meanwhile, contamination of groundwater from metals, nitrates, pesticides, petroleum leakage, and/or
synthetic organic chemicals has been detected in each county of the state.
Groundwater in the Central Columbia Plateau is substantially affected by agricultural practices. More than half of the 75,000 people living in the area rely on groundwater for their primary source of drinking water, as well as for agricultural purposes. Nitrate concentrations in groundwater in this area are high; more than 20 percent of the wells in the Plateau fail to meet the standards for safe drinking water.
Surface water also is affected by pollution. According to a 1998 report by the state Department of Ecology, 636 lakes, streams and estuaries did not meet water quality standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. The two main water quality problems are fecal coliform bacteria and temperature. Elevated water temperature occurs when shade trees are removed from along streams. Warmer temperatures can be very harmful for fish.
Agricultural practices also have a significant impact on water quality. Of all polluted surface waters in the state, agricultural activities account for the impairment or pollution of 56 percent of streams, 13 percent of lakes and 31 percent of estuaries. By comparison, urban stormwater runoff and construction activities contribute to 16 percent of impaired or polluted streams, 10 percent of lakes and 13 percent of estuaries.
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"Our Changing Nature", WaDNR, 1998
Fresh water: what do those words conjure up? Cool clear water from the tap? Swiftly flowing mountain streams? Lakes sparkling in the sunshine? A spring bubbling from the ground?
Our state seems to be blessed with abundant fresh water. Consider western Washington's legendary rainfall, the coast lined with one of the world's few temperate rain forests, and an intricate web of water in eastern Washington that transforms the semiarid environment into verdant fields and orchards.
Because water seems to be so abundant, we have a tendency to take it for granted. While it seems as if there is an infinite supply of water, the reality is actually quite different.
About 2.5 percent of all the water on the planet is fresh, of which two-thirds is in glaciers and ice caps. Imagine all the Earth's water in a gallon jar - the fresh water would fill approximately 3/8 of a cup of that jar, and of that, only two tablespoons would be available for use by humans.
Fresh water is a finite resource. Rain and snow provide roughly the same amount of water today as when the first civilizations emerged thousands of years ago. Yet. today, there are many more consumers.
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Miles of rivers and streams:
73,886
Number of lakes:
4,174
Statewide total lake area:
466,296 acres
Statewide total wetland area:
907,709
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The runoff from a one-acre meadow during a 1" rainstrom would fill an 80 square foot office to a depth of 2 feet 8 inches.
The run off from a one-acre paved parking lot would fill six offices, floor to ceiling.
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A variety of human activities, such as filling wetlands and covering land with impervious surfaces, can lead to increased surface runoff and flooding. When water is not allowed to percolate into the soil, groundwater sources are not adequately recharged. This can contribute to a shortage of available water for domestic uses.
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Rob Schanz, P.E., Chehalis River Council Volunteer
The following is the first in a series of lessons developed by the Chehalis River
Council to educate students and the general public about measuring water quality.
This curriculum was funded through a grant from the U.S. EPA, and is part of a program run through the Onalaska School District for students throughout Lewis County. Other lessons include:
- Overview of Field and Laboratory Methods
- Developing Sampling Plans
- Quality Assurance/Quality Control
- Data Interpretation
These are all available on the internet at www.wln.com/~crc/onalaska.
A GENERAL DEFINITION
Before we begin to learn measurement techniques, it is important to understand exactly what we mean by the term "water quality". Most people have an idea of what good and bad water look like, but we need a specific and consistent definition to use in scientific studies and environmental law.
For scientific and legal purposes the following definition is most often used:
Water quality is the ability of a water body to support all appropriate beneficial uses.
Beneficial uses are the ways in which water is used by humans and wildlife; drinking water and fish habitat are two examples. If water supports a beneficial use, water quality is said to be good or unimpaired. If water does not support a beneficial use, water quality is said to be poor or impaired.
A key concept is that different beneficial uses have different needs. Most people believe good water quality means the water is pure and clean. This is partly true, especially when you are using water for drinking. However, fish and wildlife have lots of other requirements. Fish must get all of their oxygen and food from water, and therefore need water that has enough oxygen and nutrients. Thus, good water quality implies that harmful substances (pollutants) are absent from the water, and needed substances (oxygen, nutrients) are present.
BENEFICIAL USES FOR DIFFERENT CLASSES OF WATERS
The government regulates water quality by setting standards for different kinds (or classes ) of water bodies. All rivers, streams, estuaries, and lakes are assigned to a class based on the beneficial uses they could support if they had good water quality.
Washington environmental laws are defined in the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and are passed by the state legislature. To develop water quality standards the WAC recognizes the following beneficial uses for state waters:
1. Water Supply - Domestic, Industrial, Agricultural, and Stock Watering
2. Fish and Shellfish:
3. Wildlife Habitat
4. Recreation
5. Navigation
Based on these beneficial uses, Chapter 173-201 of the WAC defines the following classes:
Class AA: has all beneficial uses to a high degree.
Class A: has all beneficial uses, but not as well as Class AA.
Class B: has all beneficial uses except domestic water supply, salmon spawning, fish harvesting, and primary contact recreation.
Class C: has only a limited set of beneficial uses, including industrial water supply, fish migration, wildlife habitat, secondary contact recreation, and navigation.
Lake: has all beneficial uses, but has hydraulic and water quality characteristics that are different than those of rivers, streams, and estuaries.
Class AA waters have the highest water quality standards, and Class C waters have the lowest. The Skookumchuck and upper Chehalis Rivers are mostly Class AA, while tributaries like the Newaukum River are Class A. Grays Harbor estuary is assigned to Class B.
It is important to understand that a water's class defines water quality goals and standards, not actual water quality. A Class AA water does not necessarily have better water quality than a Class B water; it just has higher standards to meet because it could support more beneficial uses.
PARAMETERS THAT DESCRIBE WATER QUALITY
Now that we can define water quality in general terms, we need to have parameters we can measure to describe the water quality of a river, stream, or lake. Parameters that are measured include physical, chemical, and biologic properties.
1. Physical Measurements
Physical measurements include water temperature, depth, flow velocity, flow rate, and turbidity. These are all useful in analyzing how pollutants are transported and mixed in the water environment, and can be related to habitat requirements for fish and other aquatic wildlife. For instance, many fish have very specific temperature requirements, and cannot tolerate water that is either too cold or too hot. In the Chehalis River temperatures are often too high for salmon because there are no longer enough trees to shade the riverbank.
2. Chemical Measurements
Chemical measurements include a wide range of chemicals and chemical properties. Most water chemistry tests measure concentration , defined as milligrams of chemical per liter of water (mg/l).
Even the purest water contains countless chemicals, and it would be impossible to measure all of them. Water quality studies therefore focus on the chemicals that are most important for the problem at hand. In agricultural areas, studies measure chemicals found in manure, fertilizers, and pesticides. In an industrial area studies focus on measuring chemicals used by the nearby industries.
The following basic parameters are measured in nearly all studies; petroleum products, metals, industrial chemicals, pesticides, and herbicides are added when needed.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO): Dissolved Oxygen is the concentration of oxygen dissolved in the water, expressed as milligrams oxygen per liter water (mg/l). DO is an important measurement of aquatic health, since aquatic organisms must get all of their oxygen from water. Healthy water bodies usually have DO levels of 8 mg/l or higher.
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD): BOD measures how much oxygen is consumed by bacteria as they break down pollution and organic matter in the water. It is measured by observing how much dissolved oxygen levels decrease in a sealed sample over a 5-day period.
Coliform Bacteria: Coliform bacteria are bacteria that grow in the digestive tracts of humans and other warm-blooded animals, and indicate the presence of sewage and other sources of fecal pollution. They are measured by counting the number of bacteria colonies that grow from a 100 milliliter water sample (#/100ml). Sources of coliform bacteria include wastewater discharges, septic tanks, domestic animals, and wildlife. Fecal coliform counts greater than about 200 #/100ml are thought to be unsafe for swimming.
Nitrate (NO3) and Phosphate (PO4): Nitrates and phosphates are nutrients that come from both natural sources and human activities (fertilizers, detergents, wastewater). These nutrients determine the productivity of a water body, and are needed at some level to provide good aquatic habitat. However, pollution from manure, fertilizer, and wastewater can cause excessive nutrient levels. Too much nitrate or phosphate causes algae to grow out of control, reducing light and oxygen for fish.
pH: pH is a measure of the acidity of water, and is important in understanding the chemical balance of the water. pHs below 7 indicate acid conditions, while pHs above 7 indicate alkaline conditions. pH is a strong determinant of the solubility and availability of both nutrients and pollutants. Most natural water bodies will have pHs close to 7, depending on the local geochemistry. Very low pHs (less than about 6) can come from acid rain, industrial sources, or mine drainage.
3. Biologic Indicators
Our understanding of the needs of aquatic wildlife is incomplete, and water chemistry testing does not tell us everything about the suitability of a water body as habitat. An alternative approach is to measure the abundance, diversity, and health of different kinds of aquatic plants and animals. This data is then analyzed to come up with an indicator of water quality.
The simplest biologic approach is toxicity testing . This involves placing a group of small animals in a water sample and observing how many die or become sick. This is most often done with water fleas and small fish. Toxicity testing provides useful but difficult-to-interpret data. Conditions in a laboratory sample are quite different from field conditions, and at the end of the test you only know that the animal died - you don't know what killed it. Still, toxicity testing is a useful check on chemical test results, especially if there is a toxic pollutant in the water that you did not include in your water chemistry analysis.
Another biologic approach is to measure the numbers and types of macroinvertebrates found in a stream. Macroinvertebrates are aquatic insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, and other smaller animals that spend their lives in water. We know that different species can tolerate different levels of pollution, and can use this knowledge to measure water quality. For instance, a stream that has lots of stone fly and mayfly larvae would have very high water quality, while a stream that has only water striders and aquatic snails might have poor water quality. Like toxicity testing, this method doesn't tell you why animals are present or absent, but it can help you identify what problems to investigate.
WATER QUALITY STANDARDS
Putting all of this together, the Department of Ecology has developed water quality standards for different classes of water. These standards are based on scientific studies of the needs for different beneficial uses. Standards for pollutants and harmful substances are defined as maximum levels (for example, coliform bacteria must be less than 50 #/100ml). Standards for needed substances like dissolved oxygen are defined as minimum levels (for example, dissolved oxygen must be greater than 9.5 mg/l). Other parameters like pH have standards defined as a range (for example, pH must be between 6.5 and 8.5).
The following are state water quality standards for some common parameters (freshwater only):
| - | Standard for Water Classes | |||
| PARAMETER | AA | A | B | C |
| Minimum Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) | 9.5 | 8.0 | 6.5 | NA |
| Maximum Coliform Bacteria (#/100ml) | 50 | 100 | 200 | NA |
| Maximum Temperature (degrees C) | 16 | 18 | 21 | NA |
| pH range | 6.5-8.5 | 6.5-8.5 | 6.5-8.5 | NA |
| Maximum Turbidity (NTU) | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 |
EXERCISES
Using information from the "What is Water Quality" unit, try to answer the following questions:
1. What is the legal definition of water quality?
2. Based on its assigned Class, what beneficial uses are not appropriate for Grays Harbor? Why do your think Grays Harbor is assigned a different class than the rest of the Chehalis River basin?
3. Which two beneficial uses do you think need the cleanest water? Which two uses can tolerate the most pollution? (Hint: look at the definitions for Class B and Class C waters)
4. What are some sources of nitrates and phosphates in water? Why can these be a problem for fish?
5. The following are the results for a water quality sample from a Class AA stream:
According to State water quality standards, does this look like good water quality?
6. Part of the water sample from question 5 was taken to a laboratory for toxicity testing. After a short period of time most of the animals in the sample died. What does this tell you about the water? What should the investigators do next?
7. Dissolved Oxygen in a water sample was measured as 8 mg/l. The sample was then placed in a sealed container for 5-days. After 5 days the Dissolved Oxygen in the sample was 5 mg/l. What is the Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) for this sample? Why did the dissolved oxygen in the sample drop from 8 to 5 mg/l?
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Mike Kelly, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
I hope you don't mind if I start off with a nice little disclaimer. OK, I work for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which administers the Endangered Species Act as concerns most plants and animals that live most of their lives on land, in freshwater, or in the air.
The National Marine Fisheries Service administers the Endangered Species Act for things that live most of their lives in the sea, or in estuaries.
Of course, it's never really that simple.
For example, when a sea turtle is in the sea it calls on the National Marine Fisheries Service for protection, but when that turtle is on land it has to call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Anyway, my point is that my agency does not administer the Endangered Species Act for salmon - the National Marine Fisheries Service does. However, we do administer the Act for bull trout, which I'll mention in more detail below.
I thought you should know this since my little essay here deals with the Endangered Species Act status of fish in the Chehalis Basin.
In other words, the tough questions concerning salmon should be directed at the National Marine Fisheries Service.
And the tough questions about bull trout should go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (If you call me, I'll be glad to transfer you to someone who really knows bull trout.) Actually, the following web sites are good places to get Endangered Species Act information.
National Marine Fisheries Service: http://www.nwr.noaa.gov/
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: http://www.fws.gov/ Washington State: http://www.wa.gov/esa/
So, how are our Chehalis River fish currently viewed under the Endangered Species Act? So far none of them are listed as threatened or endangered, but, of course, there's more to the story. Perhaps I should start with some definitions.
Listed Species - This is a species, or population, that has been designated as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. An endangered species may be in danger of becoming extinct in all or a significant portion of its range, while a threatened species is at risk of becoming endangered.
Proposed Species - This is a species, or population, for which sufficient information is available to list it as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Once a species is proposed for listing, the agency in question has up to one year to gather additional data, and to consider other measures before the final decision is made to list, or not list, the species.
Candidate Species - This is a species, or population, for which there is sufficient information on biological status and threats to propose them as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
This "candidate status" is kind of an early warning system that says, "Hey! If things continue the way they are, this species may become at risk of going extinct, and we may have to propose it for Endangered Species Act listing." It's high time for us to really get moving on conservation efforts when a species becomes a candidate.
Evolutionarily Significant Unit (ESU) - (By the way, don't get any ideas - "The Evolutionarily Significant Unit" would be a lousy nickname for a baseball player.) Anyway . . . Most Endangered Species Act listings are for an entire species, but the National Marine Fisheries Service has divided pacific salmon into distinct units called ESUs. An ESU is basically a population that shows significant genetic continuity within the population, and is substantially isolated from interbreeding with other populations.
As of April 5, 1999 there are two proposed fish and one candidate fish in the Chehalis Basin. The candidate is the coho salmon, and the proposed fish are the coastal (sea-run) cutthroat trout and the bull trout.
Chehalis coho salmon are part of the Lower Columbia River/Southwest Washington ESU.
Basically, the National Marine Fisheries Service is watching this ESU, and its status is summarized as: "the ESU is not presently in danger of extinction but is likely to become so in the foreseeable future if present conditions continue." (This looks like a good place to plug my program.) The Chehalis Fisheries Restoration Program, and other programs like it, are working to protect and restore habitat for salmon so that "present conditions" can be improved, making an Endangered Species Act listing less likely. Support your local habitat restoration program!
An ESU for coastal cutthroat trout, extending from the Chehalis River to the lower Columbia River, was proposed for listing on April 5, 1999. (To be honest with you, I am writing this on April 2nd, but a press release today states that the National Marine Fisheries Service will publish the proposal in the Federal Register on the fifth. You can read all about it at the National Marine Fisheries Service web site I gave above.) So one year from now we will have the final determination on an Endangered Species Act listing. Although the National Marine Fisheries Service conducted the review that lead to the proposed listing, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may take over administration of the listing because coastal cutthroat trout actually spend much more time in freshwater than in the sea.
Now for the bull trout. Ah, yes . . . the bull trout. Well, for starters, the bull trout is not actually a trout (for that matter, it's not a bull either). It is in the same family as salmon and trout, but it is classified as a char. We have two species of native char in our region - the Dolly Varden and the bull trout. It's pretty safe to say that YOU CANNOT TELL THEM APART BY LOOKING AT THEM. Native char have been found in the streams of the southern Olympic Mountains in the lower Chehalis Basin, but the genetic analysis has not been done to determine whether they are bull trout or Dolly Varden. By the way, we also have a non-native char that has been introduced to our area - the brook trout.
Most fishermen I've spoken with say that they have never seen a bull trout/Dolly Varden while fishing in the Chehalis Basin. One reason may be that bull trout need cold, clean water and would likely exist in more pristine stream reaches that might be difficult for fishermen to get to. Bull trout get really big, and fisherman have seen them in the 20-pound range in some rivers.
The final Endangered Species Act listing determination for bull trout is due this June. The Chehalis, or parts of the Chehalis, may be included in the listing, if there is one. If you really want to know about the proposed bull trout listing, you can search the Federal Register on the internet at: http://www.gpo.ucop.edu/search/fedfld.html Choose "Federal Register, 1998" and simply type in "bull trout" and click on "Run Search." When you get the results, choose the one that contains "June 10, 1998; Proposed Rule" in the description. Or you can call me and I'll mail you a copy.
So what happens if one of these fish is listed as threatened or endangered? I don't know. We may be able to get an idea by watching what happens on Puget Sound and Hood Canal with their recent salmon listings. In any event, let's hope that it never becomes necessary to declare any Chehalis Basin fish threatened or endangered.
You can call Mike Kelly at 360-753-9560 if you have any questions, would like more information, or would like to complain about (or receive an explanation of) that dumb baseball player joke.
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Which is more exciting - studying the features of sandpipers feeding among the mudflats but so close you can't focus your binoculars or watching a Peregrine Falcon hunt through a huge flock of darting shorebirds?
Birders will have these choices and a lot more at the Grays Harbor Shorebird Festival to be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 30 - May 2, 1999, in Hoquiam, Washington.
The Grays Harbor Audubon Society is joining with U.S Fish and Wildlife to sponsor a shorebird festival timed to match the annual migration of thousands of shorebirds as they pause at the Grays Harbor estuary to feed and rest before departing for their nesting grounds in the Arctic.
Festival events will include:
Competitive Bird Race the weekend of April 24/25th similar to the New Jersey World Series of Birding;
Field trips led by Washington Ornithological Society members to Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, Ocean Shores and Westport/Bottle Beach State Park , Olympic National Forest and Point Grenville;
Pelagic Bird all day trip ventures 35 miles out to the edge of the continential shelf
Lectures by area experts in shorebird identification, beginning birding and wildlife photography;
Exhibits of local nature/wildlife arts
Shorebird ecology •Most events will occur at festival headquarters, the Hoquiam YMCA in Hoquiam.
Registration brochures are available by writing to: Grays Harbor Audubon Society PO Box 444 Montesano, WA 98563
Or send a E-mail note to: dschwick@techline.com with your name and address.
Or call: Grays Harbor Audubon Society 1-360-495-3289 or 1-800-321-1924
Other sponsors of the festival include: Washington Ornithological Society, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Pacific Coast Joint Venture, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, and National Audubon Society.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will welcome visitors at the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge in Hoquiam on April 24-May 2nd. Volunteer guides will be stationed on the boardwalk on these weekends at peak viewing times to assist visitors. The refuge brochure is available by calling refuge staff at 1-360-753-9467.
A portion of revenues in excess of festival expenses will go toward establishing a fund to benefit the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge for activities such as: continuation of construction of the boardwalk, benches and interpretive signage.
Best Shorebird viewing times for 1999
We recommend the two hours before high tide
April 30 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm High tide 2:21 pm
May 1st 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm High tide 3:01 pm
May 2nd 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm High tide 3:41 pm
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As streams go, Deep Creek is a small creek. It originates in the uplands of the Deep Creek watershed, flowing downstream through second and third growth forest then through rural pastures to join Bunker Creek, which flows into the Chehalis River near the town of Adna in Lewis County. Many years ago coho salmon made the long trip up the Chehalis River to spawn in Deep Creek.
In recent years changes in water quality and quantity have contributed to a decline in the number of coho that spawn in the creek.
In 1995 the Department of Ecology began studying the water quality in Deep Creek. Ecology's water quality monitoring showed that the creek had summertime problems with high bacteria and nutrients, low dissolved oxygen and high temperatures. High nutrients in the water can mean increased plant growth, and the decaying plants can consume oxygen that fish need. High bacteria levels in the water may be harmful to people who swim or play in the creek. Salmon don't survive well in high temperature waters, and colder water holds more oxygen. There were also wintertime problems with sediment in the creek. Sediment can smother salmon nests or "redds" so the young salmon can't breathe.
In 1996 and 1997 Lewis Conservation District got together with local landowners and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to try to solve Deep Creek's water quality problems. Over the two-year period, 13,000 feet of fencing was installed along the creek. Fencing keeps animals out of the creek and its banks. This prevents animal waste from entering the creek and helps prevent erosion by keeping the stream bank intact. Animal waste is a source of bacteria and nutrients. Landowners installed pasture pumps and cattle crossings so animals still had limited access to water. To help lower the temperature of the creek the Conservation District staff replanted over 8.5 acres of stream bank with vegetation. As trees and shrubs grow they shade the creek and keep the water cool.
During summers and winters since 1995, Ecology staff have monitored the changes in the water quality of Deep Creek. Summer monitoring is easy because flow in the creek is reduced to a trickle. Winter monitoring is more difficult, because winter storms increase the flow in the creek 60-100 times that of summer flows, making the water muddy and fast. No matter what the season, local residents and their pets are interested in monitoring activities. While monitoring this fall Ecology staff were assisted by a dog, two cats, and a welcome sight: two spawning coho salmon.
While it often takes several years for best management practices like fencing and riparian revegetation to become fully effective, Deep Creek has already shown signs of improvements in water quality. Summer time bacteria and ammonia levels are lower. This is good news for residents who enjoy cooling off in the creek in the summer. Downstream in Bunker Creek dissolved oxygen levels have started to increase, making the creek a more hospitable habitat for fish. Future monitoring may show even better water quality. Thanks to landowners' efforts, these improvements are protecting the health of local residents, helping restore salmon, and contributing to a better environment in the Chehalis basin.
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Trivia
1. A new video that explores the complexities of Washington's coastal erosion problems.
2. April 22, 1970
3. Chum, Coho and Chinook
4. Yes, visit www.epa/gov/safewater/dwinfo.htm
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