Lake Steward The newsletter of the WLR Lake Stewardship program Vol. 6, No. 2 Spring 1999 The WSU Cooperative Extension King County Helping you put knowledge to work Want to learn more about publications, displays, and related powered to bring natural resource natural resource management? educational projects. information to the public. How about lake-friendly gardening For more information about the Through practices? The Washington State Land/Water Stewardship Program structured training, University (WSU) Cooperative or to be added to their mailing list, volunteers develop Extension King County offers a call (206)296-3900 or e-mail them a basic under­ variety of family and community at [email protected]. standing of natural service programs including the People on the mailing list receive resources and the Land/Water Steward and Master notice of upcoming training human activities Gardener Programs. programs as well as WSU spon­ and systems that sored workshops, classes, and Land/Water Stewards affect those activities related to natural resource The Land/Water Stewardship resources. After receiving training, education. Program recruits, selects, trains and each steward is expected to per­ supports adult volunteers who are form educational service. Master Gardeners interested in teaching others about Most stewards work within The Master Gardener program the basics of watersheds, wetlands, theircommunities, workplaces, grew out of the need for county streams, water quality, forestry, clubs and associations, and places agents to respond to the growing native plants, wildlife, and other of worship. Some help with public interest in home gardening. Over natural resource topics. Through education booths at community 25 years ago, WSU Cooperative the program, volunteers are em- events while others work on (continued on page 3) The Watershed Waltz & The Sammamish Swing The dance to healthy lakes What's inside ... We want to introduce you to distribution to residents of the The Watershed Waltz and The Lake Sammamish watershed but Jetstream express ...... 2 Sammamish Swing, an environ­ the information is applicable to any mental manual designed to teach northwest lake. The manual Off to sampling another season .. 2 ,.. __ homeowners explains and illustrates day-to-day ll\o-'""'t how to "dance alternatives that will reduce most Watershed wisdom ...... 3 - ...... _~ .. a- ...... ::r_...... _, their way to lake's primary source of pollu- healthier lakes tion-high levels of phosphorus Inquiry into lnle Lake ...... 4 and streams in originating from our everyday 25 simple yet activities. Too much of a good thing ...... 5 elegant steps." To order a copy of the manual The manual call the Pomegranate Center at Upcoming events ...... 6 was originally (425) 557-6412 or e-mail L------'-- designed for heidim@ pomegranate.org. .3. Lake monitors report Jetstreant express... gusting near you!

Wet weather c=:Jia~e total Figure t . Total precipitation (in millimeters) Jan·Mar 1999 -historic regional average (346mm) La Nina's continued intluence 700 '(partial clala only) •··•·· 1998 regional precipilation (4t5mm) was felt in King County as -- - 1999 regional precipilation (546mm) volunteer lake monitors recorded 600 heavy springtime precipitation 500 (Figure 1). Rainfall totals measured we II above Sea-Tac Airport's 400 •..•• . . • ..••...... · · · ··· -·-·· ...... , . -... - .•.•...... •.•..•... ••. •• ... . .•. ' historic average (346 mm) for the January-March quarter. Exceptions 300 include lakes Cottage, Joy, Star, and 200 Twelve where volunteers were not able to collect data for the full 100 quarter. Precipitation totals at seven of 0 the 37lakes were above the 1999 regional average of 546 mm and 31 of the lakes were above the 1998 jetstream" across the North Pacific tlow from west to east, including regional average of 415 mm. The generated an active winter storm the westerlies from east Asia that regional average was calculated pattern for the Pacific Northwest. jetsu·eam to the Pacific Northwest. from a rain gauge just north of Sea­ Two jetstreams influence om So as winter turns to spring, and Tac Airport at Lake Reba. local weather: the Pacific Jetstrcam icy-cold blasts turn to mild breezes, and the Polar Jetslream. Ajetstrcam think abom the jetstream high in the Stormy weather is a stream of strong wind atmosphere that is flowing your Many of our lake volunteers had concentrated within a narrow zone way. To learn more about difficulty collecting data this spring of the atmosp~ere. Many forces jetstreams and global climate because of high winds and stormy lead to the creation and flow pattern patterns checkout the great El Nino/ weather throughout the sampling ofjctstreams, including rotation of La Nina tutorial at the Climate quarter. This period coincides with the planet and heat exchange from Prediction Center Website: the National Weather Service the earth's surface to the http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/ reporting that "a very strong atmosphere. Jetstreams usually index_frarne.htrnl. ~) Hi-ho it is off to sa111pling we go On May 2, Level If lake moni­ Data collected by both Level I dressing lake management issues. tors began sampling their respective monitors (who collect information We are still looking for Level I Jakes for phosphorus, nitrogen, and year-round on lake level, rainfall, or Level II volunteers or back -up algae levels. Levelll monitors also water clarity, color, and tempera­ volunteers on the following lakes: collect inf01mation on temperatw-e, ture) and Level II monitors is Burien, Echo, Fenwick, Garrett, water clarity, color, waterfowl repmted annually in the volunteer Panther, Ravensdale, Shadow, usage, and recreational usage. monitoring report. Twelve, and Webster. Level II volunteers will con­ This information is used to If you are interested, please call tinue to collect this information on a establish benchmarks for lake water Jessica Anderson (206) 296-8008 biweekly basis through October. quality and provide data for ad- or Wendy Cooke (206) 296~1949.~)

2 !5!2n'!}~dge to work... ~~-->. ~ Extension agents trained the first neighborhood. If -- !...., visit their web page at http:// volunteers in the basics of garden- l·n~e"'ested• /~<'--..f1>:/• \ "' king. wsu.edulhort/mastergd.htrn. ~ou ar~ 1 in g. Today, over 600 Master m getting m ·1 ,..l:l J) Garden stewardship Gardeners in King County work as contact with }/ _.....~ .\ The WSU Cooperative Exten­ trained volunteers in local commu- your local ;//{~ ~-"' ~~--- )).'~ sion is a great source of information f!l-',\.1 ~:1\ ;;;.._1 ' ~~/1 J nities and teach good gardening Master '/ ._;r.l~;·_.--t~'}it~-- ~ - for northwest gardeners who are practices. Master Gardeners give Gardener or '1 : . J:;~"&-ifC.fi''(\ -.;:, ~~\ ~. ·'ll/:o::A- interested in lake-friend I y garden­ lectures, maintain demonstration ~ant mo:e .:2:)}:?"'. ~ :. ·. · · ing. Lake-friendly garden practices gardens, and staff neighborhood mfonnatton . tiJ)~. · result in the development of desired Plant Problem Clinics. about 'i~ .. .'..-. garden elements but also provide 1 You may already have a master becoming · ' ~ · · ' habitat for birds and insects, and gardener on your lake or in your one yourself, call (206) 296-3425 or protect soil, water, and energy resources. Beneficial garden prac­ Watershed Wisdom tices includecomposting, selecting One place to statt living in harmony with your watershed is in the site-adapted plants, using non-toxic garden. Take this quiz to find out if you are doing "The Watershed or no pesticides, conserving water, Waltz & The Sammamish Swing" (see cover a1tide). protecting water quality, using organic fertilizers, and protecting A. Have some of your Drought tolerant plants, soil resources by planting cover plantings been selected specifi­ .-11~~l\ a, such as Purple Cone- crops. cally for drought tolerance? c.(\;,$ i'/f.-· ~~ flower (Echinacea The WSU Cooperative Exten­ Yes, some (+5) •\' '"4QY purpurea), require less sion gardening web page (http:// None (0) ~;~Jd. ..,. water and maintenance. gardening. wsu.edu) offers expert We don't have droughts in the information on a variety of garden­ Pacific Northwest (-1 0) \'u·f· ing topics including lawns, weeds, B. What percentage of your Bunchberry landscaping, and native plants. landscape is native Northwest (Comus For more information about the plants? canadensis) is an range of services available from the 100% (+15) elegant, native WSU Cooperative Extension, visit 70%(+10) groundcover that their web site at http:// 30% (+5) grows well in shady king. wsu.edu or call (206) 296- Don't know (0) areas. 3900. Are you a resource in your C. How do you respond to the appearance of weeds? Weeds, such as own backyard? Give them little name tags (0) dandelions, are best Are you a Land/Water Steward Icy indifference (+5) pulled by hand or or Master Gardener wanting to be a Rip them from the earth with my ignored when living resource for your lake community? near a lake. bare hands( +5) Do you want to network with other Blast them with chemicals (-1 0) Stewards or Master Gardeners? If so, then give us a call at 296-1949 10 to 25 points: Your landscape is a symphony and we will publish your name, lake 5 to 10 points: Your landscape can hum a few bars name, and phone number in our less than 5 points: Your landscape is singin' the blues next newsletter.:)

3 Report from the shoreline An inquiry into incredible Inle Lake j, HINyaungshwe Township, southern west, and one from the north. lnle Shan State in Burma. It is the lake has one outlet which flows .... second largest lake in Burma at south, entering the Thanlwin River. DANGL.IIDESii CHINA about 14 miles long and 7 miles Fishes and birds Myanmar wide (about twice the size of Lake (B_prma) ~~ Sixteen species of fish inhabit Sammamish). The lnle regionis ~f •MANDALA Y Inle Lake, including carp, catfish, ~. IIAG~N . KENGTUNG characterized by a large, flat valley 3 ~AUNGGYI and snakehead fishes. Inle is rich in MRAUKU e ~ HEHO• 1/0/I..E • LA 0 S running north to south which is /1 "A y UKE r.II\E birds with 57 species of forest birds f'VAY TA.UNGOO SAl surrounded by mountain ranges OF • • ~ and 43 species of water birds. NGAPAU e 1- averaging 4000 feet in elevation. 8 E NC I.S YANGON IIAGO "'1 , Several species of egret, sea gull, (RANGOON).,. 1 ( The Jake averages 2915 feet above f'A' fi ~TN • '-' • THATOI'I ""7 4' commorant, wild duck, and magpie · ~\A.WLAMYINE /) sea level. Over 200 villages border are abundant in northwest Inle. ~oo THREE the lake and inhabit the surrounding "'PAGODAS Migratory birds usually live in Inle PASS BANGKOK watershed. M UJ A IJA it ._'l wetlands from October to May. The depth of the lake fluctuates with seasons. The average depth in Nga-phane, a symbol of lnle o mo~rn the summer is four meters and in the The Inle carp, Cyprinus carpio =- Map of Myanmar (Burma). rainy season, seven meters. The intha or Nga-phane, plays an lake bed is comprised of fine silt important role in local food supply paper, and bag making, the over deposited by the surrounding as well as t11e cultural symbol of abundant population obstructs streams which flow through the ethnic Intha. The carp breed year­ waterways along the lake. plateau's limestone. round with clean and clear water. The pollution problem Thirty streams flow into the However, because of poor water The main business of the lnle quality, the Nga-phane population Lake region is floating garden has become surprisingly scarce. agriculture. Tomatoes, the primary lnle flora cash crop, comprise two-thirds of Native aquatic plants include the region's agriculture. There­ pondweeds (Potamogeton), coon tail maining one-third consists of (Ceratophyllum), bladderw011 flowers, vegetables, and sugarcane ( Ut ric ularia), stonewort (Nite lia), plantations. The fanners use pesti­ muskgrass (Chara), and elephant cides and ferti 1i zers for their crops. grass (Saccharum spotaneum). The Inle area is also well­ People use elephant grass to make known for it~ textile product~. In mats while pondweeds are used for eight villages, rnaj or textile indus­ food by both people and fi sh. tries use chemical dyes as well as natural dyes. ln addition to the Invasive plants in lnle Lake tloaling gardens and textiles indus­ Water hyacinth (Eichornia tries, waste and garbage from crassipes) was introduced to the households, lack of proper sanita­ lake about 60 years ago as an tion system, and live stock breeding ornamental plant. Although the contribute to poor water quality. Local fisherman with a traditional plant is used for gas production, (continued on page 6) bamboo trap on lnle Lake.

4 Limnology for the layperson Too llluch of a good thing ... Phosphorus Webster defines "nutrients" as leased into the water column. When into a septic system can end up in nearby waters, since drain fields are something that nourishes or as a the lake mixes during the fall, the not designed for phosphorus re­ food ingredient. The primary phosphorus becomes available moval. Washing your car at home nutrients for plants (including algae) throughout the water column, can also feed nutrients into nearby are phosphorus and nitrogen. The sometimes causing new algal more nutrients available to plants, blooms. surface waters or groundwater. In the better they grow. Aquatic plants (and algae) die our yards, fertilizers are easily In most fresh water systems, back and decay in late autumn as washed into our lakes and streams. the growing season ends. Phospho­ phosphorus is less abundant than A Good Balance rus in the plant tissue is then re­ nitrogen (phosphorus limited). If a lake's ecology is balanced, leased back into the water column. When the phosphorus supply runs algal growth will be kept in check out, plant growth slows or stops. Other Sources of Phosphorus by the animals (zooplankton) that When the phosphorus supply Phosphorus contained in eat algae. Too many nutrients increases, plant growth increases. animal feces can be a create a system out of balance and This increase in growth, left un­ troublesome source of undesirable algae can start to checked in a lake or stream, can nutients to a lake flourish causing blue-green algal result in unsightly and nuisance (Figure I). For blooms. algal blooms. Subsequently, example, when a Because blue-green algae often limnologists study ways to manage population of dump together to fonn larger phosphorus levels in lakes. waterfowJ. colonies, they become too large for Where Does Phosphorus becomes too large or tiny animals to eat. In addition, when large animals such as horses these algae have special cell Come From? and cattle have free range near a structures, which allows them to Phosphorus is found naturally in Figure 1. The scoop on poop float, fonning unsightly soil, plants, and animal tissue and Potential Annual Phosphorus surface scums. occurs in several fonns. Level II Occasionally, blue-green Fecal Sources Load (kg TP/ year) volunteers collect samples which algae produce toxins septic system 2.2 per system are analyzed for total phosphorus causing skin irritation caule 18 per 1000 pound bull (TP). This form includes all and stomach upset in horse 8 per 1000 pound horse phosporus that is bound in plant or humans and hatming or goose 0.6 per goose animal tissue, attached to soil killing fish, waterfowl mallard 0.2 perduck particles, or dissolved in the water. and other animals. Soluble phosphorus (SRP) is the stream or lake, fecal runoff enters Once phosphorus enters a lake, form of the nutrient which is dis­ nearby surface waters. Pets can it can be recycled over and over via solved, making it readily available contribute nutrients with their plant growth, decay, and sediment to be utilized by plants. "droppings" when this waste is left release. It can take many years Phosphorus binds readily with to wash into surface waters. Hu­ before it eventually gets flushed out iron in soils and can become a man feces also contribute phospho­ of the lake. Therefore, the best way problem for lakes that stratify. rus when septic systems fail. to protect your lake from an over When bottom waters become low in Synthetic detergents or fertilizers abundance of phosphorus is to oxygen, the iron-phosphorus bond are a source of SRP. Soaps and prevent it from entering the water in is broken and phosphorus is re- detergents flushed down the drain the first place.).

5 Upcoming events: Inle Lake... project was launched by the govern­ (continued from page 1.) ment. The project's executive Landscaping the lake-friendly way Excess sittation committee includes members from Saturday, May 22 Shan State Peace and Development Renton Community Center In the western area of the Inle Council, Nyaungshwe Township Call Debra Bouchard at (206) Lake watershed, deforestation is a local authorities, and Government 296-1989 for more information. big issue. Slash and burn agricul­ sector personnel (Irrigation, Agri­ tural practices on the adjacent hills Tour lake-friendly landscapes culture, and Forestry departments). contribute to soil erosion. Expan­ at Lake Sammamish The preservation project contin­ sion of the villages throughout the Monday, June 14, 6:30-9:00pm ues as lake management is per­ watershed has also increased silt­ Call Claire Dyckman at (206) formed by multiple interests. Public ation. The addilion of silt blocks or 296-7279 for details. awareness and participation will hinders the proper flow of water. Great American Secchi dip-in continue to play a vital role June 26-July 11; Stay tuned for Preservation activities in lnle Lake's preserva­ more information ... In Burma, Inle Lake is a major tion. . ~ tourist attraction. When the military Thanks to ~~., :~. .' ·~ Aquatic Weed Workshop Myint Su, University I • . Saturday, July 17 regime promoted tourism in 1996, ~ . the government became aware of ofWashington ..· Learn the top eight pesky aquatic local efforts to preserve Inle Lake. Humphrey Fellow,.for weeds. Call Sharon Walton at In 1997, the Inle Lake preservation this article. ~ (206) 296-8382 for details.

BULK RATE ~ KING COUNTY U.S. Postage PAID \&4iii/ Department of Natural Resources Seattle, WA Permit No. 6013 \Vater- and Land Resources Division 700 Fifth A venue #2200 Seattle, W A 98104

Lake Steward spring 1999 Duplicate mailings? Change ofaddress? Call WLR at (206) 296-6519 or send your labels, with the correct address clearly marked, to the above address, marked Att: Front Desk/ Reception. Please allow 6-8 weeks for changes. ® Printed on recycled paper. Please recycle.