DESCRIPTION
Sno-King Watershed Council is partnering with the City of Kenmore and Adopt-A-Stream Foundation to initiate restoration of riparian forest habitat atthe confluence of the Sammamish River and Swamp Creek in Squire's Landing Park. The long term goal is to restore complex riparian and in-water edge habitat to provide enhanced function and support the habitat-forming processes necessary for rearing juvenile Chinook salmon and resting for migrating adult Chinook salmon. Other salmonid species using the area, including Coho, will also benefit. Invasive vegetationwill be removed and nativetrees and shrubswill be planted to initiate restorationoftwoacres of forested riparian habitat. The current phase will focus on a 50 foot riparian buffer along each side of Swamp Creek from themouth upstream for 700 feet and a 50 footbuffer along 320 feet of the right bank of the Sammamish River from the mouth of Swamp Creek upstream. Future funding will be sought toexpand buffers from50to200 feet, measured from top of bank. Deliverables will includea planting plan, plant list, invasive removal and maintenance manual, and conceptual approach for potential future phases of riparianrestoration. This project will capitalize on enhanced community interest in the park and revitalized interest by the City of Kenmore. It helps re-engage the City of Kenmore in the WRIA 8 salmon recovery process, and initiates action for a site and project that is on the WRIA 8 3-Year Work Plan of priority salmon recovery actions.
NOTES
In Corps G.I. Historically an area of many wetlands that are now degraded. Has been identified as a potential mitigation banking site. King County park may go to City of Kenmore.
Large parcel to the south of Swamp Creek mouth (Swamp Creek Regional Park) – opportunity to create emergent habitat on Swamp Creek with a dendritic channel and multiple outlets to the Sammamish River. Action includes placement of LWD accumulations in Swamp Creek. Widen the area of Swamp Creek for gravel deposition near 522, good groundwater upwelling in this area. Reshape Sammamish River bank and canopy, some backwater pools in Sammamish River reach. Assume that off-channel and ponds are seasonally flooded in summer due to reverse hydrology of Sammamish River and Lake Washington.
Update 10/2008:
The city is finalizing plans and permitting to create 1.03 acres of wetlands near the mouth of Swamp Creek and to restore 0.34 acres of wetlands and riparian area along lower Swamp Creek. The wetland project will include grading in upland areas, removal of nonnative and invasive vegetation, and installation of native plants and habitat structures. As part of the project, a secondary channel to Swamp Creek will be constructed to supply hydrology to interspersed wetland areas and off-channel fish habitat. There is additional space for future restoration projects, but the city has no immediate plans for future projects.
Update 12/2009:
The City is in the middle of a Park Master Planning process. A significant portion of the Master Plan involves planning for future restoration and enhancement projects. The City is also separately undertaking a project to control and remove invasive species from the site. That may fit in with replanting and restoration efforts in the Master Plan,
