Green Cove Creek Watershed: Difference between revisions

From Salish Sea Wiki
mNo edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{watershedsite}}[[Category:south puget sound]][[category:eld inlet]]
{{watershedsite}}[[Category:south puget sound]][[category:eld inlet]]
[[file:greencovecreek.jpg|left|400px]]
[[file:greencovecreek.jpg|left|400px]]
The headwaters of Green Cove Creek emanate from a large intact wetland complex largely protected by conservation easements, acquisitions, and a City of Olympia . The riparian corridor is comprised of mixed conifer and deciduous forest with only a few sites warranting improvement. Because it is relatively intact, Green Cove Creek is Olympia’s priority for salmon habitat protection measures.
Green Cove Watershed is the largest watershed on Cooper Point, and straddles the western Boundary of the City of Olympia.  The headwaters of Green Cove Creek are a large intact wetland complex with portions protected by conservation easements, acquisitions, and a City of Olympia . The riparian corridor is comprised of mixed conifer and deciduous forest with only a few sites warranting improvement. Because it is relatively intact, Green Cove Creek is Olympia’s priority for salmon habitat protection measures.


The Green Cove Creek Comprehensive Drainage Basin Plan (1998) recommended minimum canopy cover of 60% within the watershed to prevent excessive stormwater impacts. The City of Olympia has downzoned the upper Basin and instituted more stringent development standards to maintain the forest cover and protect the creek. Although the City has instituted these standards, significant residential development pressures exist in this desirable area, especially new home construction. Tidal influence occurs in the estuary and at the mouth of the creek, allowing for a fresh and saltwater mixing despite the presence of some bulkheads. Green Cove has two fishways assessed by WDFW; one has retrofitted baffles which impact upstream adult and juvenile migration while the other is passing fish. ([[Thurston CD 2004]]
The Green Cove Creek Comprehensive Drainage Basin Plan (1998) recommended minimum canopy cover of 60% within the watershed to prevent excessive stormwater impacts. The City of Olympia has downzoned the upper Basin and instituted more stringent development standards to maintain the forest cover and protect the creek. Although the City has instituted these standards, significant residential development pressures exist in this desirable area, especially new home construction. Tidal influence occurs in the estuary and at the mouth of the creek, allowing for a fresh and saltwater mixing despite the presence of some bulkheads. Green Cove has two fishways assessed by WDFW; one has retrofitted baffles which impact upstream adult and juvenile migration while the other is passing fish. ([[Thurston CD 2004]]
Line 18: Line 18:
*''Capitol Land Trust''' has acquired 150 acres over 8 sights in the watershed focused on wetlands - https://capitollandtrust.org/conserved-lands/conservation-areas/green-cove-creek-wetlands/
*''Capitol Land Trust''' has acquired 150 acres over 8 sights in the watershed focused on wetlands - https://capitollandtrust.org/conserved-lands/conservation-areas/green-cove-creek-wetlands/
*High resolution map of green cove creek by [[user:pcereghino]] - [[file:greencovecreek.pdf]]
*High resolution map of green cove creek by [[user:pcereghino]] - [[file:greencovecreek.pdf]]
*[[City of Olympia]] has acquired lands to establish the 171 acre '''[http://olympiawa.gov/community/parks/parks-and-trails/grass-lake-nature-park.aspx Grass Lake Nature Park]''' which has a 1997 Master Plan. There appears to be some limited reforestation near the entrance.  City Environmental Services has completed some habitat surveys and are discussing ecological management with parks staff (Harvest 2018)
*[[City of Olympia]] has acquired lands to establish the 171 acre '''[http://olympiawa.gov/community/parks/parks-and-trails/grass-lake-nature-park.aspx Grass Lake Nature Park]''' which has a 1997 Master Plan. There appears to be some limited reforestation near the entrance.  City Environmental Services has completed some habitat surveys and are discussing ecological management with parks staff (as of September 2018).
*[[Wild Fish Conservancy]] captured [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ4TdPY3dcM 20007 video footage] of stray hatchery coho salmon spawning in Green Cove Creek.
*[[Wild Fish Conservancy]] captured [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ4TdPY3dcM 20007 video footage] of stray hatchery coho salmon spawning in Green Cove Creek.


==Development==
==Development==
*'''Green Cove Park Subdivision''' has plans for 177 units on 50 acres at 2200 Cooper Point Road - http://m.olympiawa.gov/news-and-faq-s/construction-news/green-cove-park.aspx
*'''Green Cove Park Subdivision''' has plans for 177 units on 50 acres at 2200 Cooper Point Road - http://m.olympiawa.gov/news-and-faq-s/construction-news/green-cove-park.aspx (September 2018)
*Watershed development continues, contested by local advocates - http://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com/2016/05/housing-development-threatens-west.html
*Watershed development continues, contested by local advocates - http://janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com/2016/05/housing-development-threatens-west.html
*A new subdivision is being constructed immediately north of the Evergeen Pointe subdivision.

Revision as of 01:44, 12 September 2018


Wiki Rules
  • Wiki text does not reflect the policy or opinion of any agency or organization
  • Please adhere to our social contract
  • Complain here, and be nice.


Link to List of Workgroups Link to List of Topics Link to List of Places

Link to List of Efforts Link to List of Products Link to List of Documents Link to List of Graphics Link to List of Websites

Link to Headwater Sites Link to Lowland Watershed Sites Link to Floodplain Sites Link to Delta Sites Link to Embayment Sites Link to Beach Sites Link to Rocky Headland Sites

Greencovecreek.jpg

Green Cove Watershed is the largest watershed on Cooper Point, and straddles the western Boundary of the City of Olympia. The headwaters of Green Cove Creek are a large intact wetland complex with portions protected by conservation easements, acquisitions, and a City of Olympia . The riparian corridor is comprised of mixed conifer and deciduous forest with only a few sites warranting improvement. Because it is relatively intact, Green Cove Creek is Olympia’s priority for salmon habitat protection measures.

The Green Cove Creek Comprehensive Drainage Basin Plan (1998) recommended minimum canopy cover of 60% within the watershed to prevent excessive stormwater impacts. The City of Olympia has downzoned the upper Basin and instituted more stringent development standards to maintain the forest cover and protect the creek. Although the City has instituted these standards, significant residential development pressures exist in this desirable area, especially new home construction. Tidal influence occurs in the estuary and at the mouth of the creek, allowing for a fresh and saltwater mixing despite the presence of some bulkheads. Green Cove has two fishways assessed by WDFW; one has retrofitted baffles which impact upstream adult and juvenile migration while the other is passing fish. (Thurston CD 2004

Planning

  • A Comprehensive drainage plan was adopted in 1998 by Thurston County - http://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/sw/Pages/basin-plan-greencove.aspx
  • Thurston CD 2004 describes salmon recovery strategies for the WRIA 13, including Green Cove Creek, and reports use by Chum and Coho Salmon, and Steelhead and Cutthroat trout with anadromous use over 3.4 miles of stream.
    • The plan proposes replacement of the culvert on Country Club Road, protection and enhancement of riparian forest, increasing large wood recruitment, and protection of hydrology form development impacts.
    • The plan proposes a riparian assessment, but that appears to have not occurred.

Conservation

Development