Restoring Tibbetts Creek
Tibbetts Creek is a small waterway flowing from Squak Mountain through Tibbetts Creek Valley and into Lake Sammamish running right through Lake Sammamish State Park. Mountain to Sound Greenway, Trout Unlimited, the Snoqualmie Tribe, City of Issaquah, and Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park (FLSSP) in conjunction with Washington State Parks and others have worked across the watershed to restore sections of the vital Tibbetts Creek Watershed to enhance and restore watershed function and improve outcomes for species reliant on this watershed.
The Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park was formed to help enhance and preserve Lake Sammamish State Park and as part of that commitment FLSSP regularly supports restoration work groups to improve the park’s features. Impacts from human activity and urban development have taken a toll on the park’s delicate ecosystem, jeopardizing its ecological integrity. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, FLSSP's restoration committee has worked with groups to help restore this area. In the last year, FLSSP has focused support on restoring Tibbetts Creek because of its immense value to the park and its salmon population including coho, kokanee, and cutthroat trout.
Why restore Tibbetts Creek? Tibbetts Creek, along with Issaquah Creek, is crucial salmon habitat and plays a vital role in the health of Lake Sammamish. Restoring this waterway is essential for the survival of the salmon species that use this waterway. Additionally, a healthy buffer along Tibbetts Creek provides habitat for a wide array of birds, mammals, and insects. By restoring and preserving this ecosystem, we can safeguard the biodiversity and ecological balance of the entire region and regional watershed.
As part of the larger team working to restore ecological health and function to the Lake Sammamish Ecosystem, FLSSP is proud to share some notable accomplishments that we have achieved along with our partners:
1. Invasive species removal: As part of our restoration work, we have focused on removing invasive species, including the pervasive blackberry bushes. This removal allows native plants to thrive and creates a healthy riparian buffer along the creek, providing habitat for diverse wildlife.
2. Water quality enhancement: Our water monitoring and analysis efforts have led to targeted measures to reduce pollution, such as advocating for improved management strategies and promoting responsible waste disposal practices. These actions have significantly improved water quality in Tibbetts Creek, benefiting salmon and other aquatic species.
As we look ahead, we hope to continue our restoration success and move toward better ecosystem health. Our future goals include:
1. Expanded habitat restoration: We aim to continue expanding our riparian zone restoration efforts, fostering a resilient and diverse habitat along Tibbetts Creek. By engaging more community members, schools, and local organizations, we can collaboratively undertake invasive plant removal and native planting initiatives, contributing to enhanced biodiversity and ecological balance.
2. Outreach: Education plays a crucial role in cultivating long-term environmental stewardship. We plan to collaborate with the state park and other local organizations to raise awareness about the significance of both Tibbetts Creek and Issaquah Creek. Through educational programs, community events, and outreach initiatives, we hope to inspire individuals to take an active role in preserving the health of these vital waterways and their surrounding ecosystems.
Tibbetts Creek, along with Issaquah Creek, represents a shared commitment to the preservation of Lake Sammamish's environmental well-being. As part of FLSSP's restoration committee, we have made significant progress in reclaiming Tibbetts Creek through the removal of invasive blackberry bushes and other initiatives. With your continued support and active participation, we can forge ahead in our journey towards the revitalization of these critical waterways. Join us in our collective efforts to restore Tibbetts Creek and protect the invaluable natural resources of Lake Sammamish for generations to come.
Please consider donating your time to a FLSSP hosted restoration events to support continued improvement at Lake Sammamish State Park. To register for an event please visit our events page.
A donation of just $50 supports continued efforts to transform Tibbetts Creek and enhance Lake Sammamish State Park for generations to come. Please consider donating here. We thank you for your continued support.
