North Winds Weir Low Tide Planting on the Duwamish

UPCOMING EVENTS for the Homeschool Stewardship Squad (2nd Thursdays & 4th Wednesdays 11:00a)
(4th) Wed 4/28 - - North Shorewood Park, White Center, King County Parks, Sign-up to RSVP here.
(2nd) Thurs 5/13 - Cottonwood Corner, Green Tukwila Partnership, Sign-up to RSVP here.
(4th) Wed 5/26 - location TBD

Squad helped continue significant past-efforts by the Duwamish Alive Coalition at North Winds Weir by picking-up trash and planting Carex lyngbyei. Low-tides must be anticipated so that the muddy planing zone won’t be inundated with water.

This site is very important for Chinook salmon, as it is the transition zone between fresh water and salt water. Additionally, there is off-channel habitat for young fry to shelter and adjust.

Read more about the fascinating Native American legend around this important site on Wikipedia and from the Burke Museum.

Low Tide Planting Along the Duwamish River at North Wind's Weir

Success was in doubt for a time, but all participants eventually extricated themselves from the low-tide mud along the Duwamish River, Squad’s 100% survival rate is intact, phew! The Duwamish Alive Coalition has done many important works of restoration, and preservation along Seattle’s river and we appreciate having Sharon lead us on the ground in some hands-on stewardship at North Wind’s Weir. While working, we were treated to eagles, heron, kingfisher and many sitings of a seal.

We planted some carex divisions (off of larger plants) from another thriving site that will hopefully root themselves in securely before the tide, waves and geese pull them out. Additionally we planted live willow stakes which will sprout roots from the dormant branch cuttings when submerged in wet ground. This site is important for Chinook salmon as it is the transition zone between fresh water and salt water.

Read more about the fascinating Native American legend around this important site on Wikipedia and from the Burke Museum.

Salmon Habitat Work on the Green-Duwamish at North Wind's Weir.

Squad always loves working on the Green-Duwamish River. North Wind's Weir is a particularly interesting site due to its natural treasures, great habitat and historic Native American significance. We've enjoyed working at this site through EarthCorps Sound Stewards program. 

Noxious teasel / Dipsacum fullonum had sprouted all about the native plantings, so a portion of the group worked to dig them out by their deep tap roots (see pics at right). Their architectural seed heads are lovely, and yet they are a foe of quality native habitat, which is uniquely salmon-friendly at this site.

Tukwila is a special spot on the Duwamish as it marks the tidal/salt boundary. You can see the river flowing up or down-stream or indeed..... standing still. It is a wondrous and fascinating place. Now salmon can have the chance to adjust to such changes in their environment by hanging out in quiet side channels for a time, shaded by native willow & cottonwoods. This site was and continues to be a significant fishing grounds where the salmon are channeled into a tight passage by a natural rock weir at low tide.

We also cut live willow stakes, which we then drove deep into the riverine mud. Along the way we found a dead goose and her abandoned eggs. Sad, but a neat nature find to experience up close.