On Saturday, Oct. 4, a group of more than 50 participants met in the boardwalk area by the Edmonds Marsh to hear EarthCorps Restoration Ecologist Keeley O’Connell and Tulalip Tribes Marine and Nearshore Program Manager Todd Zackey talk about the history of the marsh, how it has changed over the years, and what needs to be done to restore it as a breeding area for native salmon populations.
The tour focused on restoring Willow Creek, the natural link between the marsh and Puget Sound. Originally a free-flowing creek, it now enters a 1,400-foot underground culvert as it leaves the marsh, emerging underwater in Puget Sound 10 feet below mean low tide. This effectively blocks salmon from returning. Tour participants learned about the options being considered to daylight Willow Creek, which would allow wild salmon to once again spawn in the Edmonds Marsh and the streams that feed it.
If you missed the tour, you can watch the video on My Edmonds News TV here.
— Story and photos by Larry Vogel
Great job, Val, Keeley and Todd. It looks like a very good turn-out with awesome weather. The City of Edmonds has a fund set-aside for Marsh restoration similar to the flower programs. This is another great step towards letting everyone know what a wonderful treasure we have right in our lovely town.
Great presentation about our natural jewel which we are so fortunate to have right here……I’m envisioning that boardwalk with the creek meandering to the sea already…..This could become a well known Pacific Northwest experience many will come from afar to enjoy…….I’m seeing “small fries” along the way and the salmon population brought back……Everything unfolds as it should in nature….We just have to nurture and care about it and for it……much to be learned from Native American culture
The video was wonderful and I appreciate My Edmonds News for making it available. Keeley O’Connell’s presentation was informative, very well done and has helped clarify a complicated and fascinating project. My thanks to all concerned.
Why are the saltwwater tide gates closed in the winter isn’t this contrary to the saltwater marsh concept?
The tide gates are closed during the winter to prevent flooding of Harbor Square and the Dayton St./Sunset Ave. intersection, especially when heavy rain coincides with the extreme high (king) tides of January. Keely explained how the present piped drainage system does not allow the marsh to drain fast enough to prevent flooding during those conditions.
If Willow Creek were properly daylighted, the marsh would naturally drain fast enough to prevent flooding even under adverse winter weather and tidal conditions.
Bill – are the challenges to proper daylighting overwhelming? Or is there any way this can happen?
Thank you to Val Stewart for organizing the walk, My Edmonds News for the great reporting, and for all of the citizens who joined us on the walk or who have watched the video. I’m inspired by our community of engaged citizens! I’m also happy to answer any further questions people may have at this time about the marsh, the conceptual plan to daylight Willow Creek, the current connection of the marsh to Puget Sound, and anything else you may be curious about. You can reach me at keeley@earthcorps.org or 206-322-9296 ext 213.
Matthew- I’m not sure I fully understand your question. However, while daylighitng Willow Creek will be challenging for several reasons, it is possible and our research to date has shown that the system can support salmon again. The conceptual plan that the City and partners, such as EarthCorps, have been working on for the past three years also shows a more natural creek connection to Puget Sound will help address stormwater and flood issues we currently have in the Harbor Square and Dayton/104 intersection. Let me know if that does not answer your question!
Great presentation this past week, Ms. O’Connell. We are looking forward to this creek connection and the salmon coming back. Thank you to ALL at EarthCorps for all the work you all have done regarding this issue and other important environmental issues. We are looking forward to being a part of this grand undertaking!
Puget Sound Partnership funds the Citizen Action Training School, not People for Puget Sound. Kudos to our two great tour leaders for a very educational session. Todd Zackey is a resident of Edmonds and is doing great research for the Tulalip tribes. I’m grateful to both Keeley and Todd for their time and dedication to our community. A huge thank you also to Larry Vogel for taping this so that those that couldn’t attend could watch it.
The daylighting of Willow Creek used to be daunting to me as I understand all the costs involved. But I recall three years ago, King County Council Member Larry Phillips and Chair of WRIA8 challenged me and told me not to be daunted as we (WRIA8) have seen larger projects completed successfully with federal and state dollars. Since then, I have not been concerned because we continue to move the process along pragmatically and continue to educate everyone about this unique estuary and wildlife sanctuary. Just think of it like the Field of Dreams, if we restore it, they will come!