Monthly Archive: September 2019

Green Lake Monitoring – September 29, 2019

September 29, 2019

Secchi Depth: 0.8 Meters (2.6 feet)
Water Temp: 17.0 degrees C (62.6 degrees F)

Lake Water Quality is monitored weekly by Jeffrey Howard at East Green Lake from the T-dock near the Green Lake Community Center. The weekly data are reported quarterly and uploaded to the King County Lakes website available here. Select “Green-1” and “View Data”. General lake information, water quality data, and reports are available here.

For continuous Green Lake Water Level and Temperature Gauge data tracked by King County, go to the King County Hydrologic Information Center website where you can search for both temperature (in C) and lake elevation. Here are instructions:
1. Click on either Water Temperature or State Only Gage to get a map of monitoring sites.
2. Click on the red dot at Green Lake.
3. Click on View Graph. (The graph is currently being updated to improve visibility.) More data selections are listed left of the graph.

Green Lake Monitoring – September 23, 2019

September 23, 2019

Secchi Depth: 0.9 Meters (3.0 feet)
Water Temp: 18.2 degrees C (64.8 degrees F)

Lake Water Quality is monitored weekly by Jeffrey Howard at East Green Lake from the T-dock near the Green Lake Community Center. The weekly data are reported quarterly and uploaded to the King County Lakes website available here. Select “Green-1” and “View Data”. General lake information, water quality data, and reports are available here.

For continuous Green Lake Water Level and Temperature Gauge data tracked by King County, go to the King County Hydrologic Information Center website where you can search for both temperature (in C) and lake elevation. Here are instructions:
1. Click on either Water Temperature or State Only Gage to get a map of monitoring sites.
2. Click on the red dot at Green Lake.
3. Click on View Graph. (The graph is currently being updated to improve visibility.) More data selections are listed left of the graph.

Projects! Projects! Projects!

September 22, 2019

Taiga rowing

Project funding provided in part by donations in memory of Taiga Hinckley.

by Rob Zisette

Friends of Green Lake is currently working on three projects to benefit Green Lake and its users. Come to our meeting or click on the following projects to learn more about them.

Turtle Viewing Platform
Install a 12-feet-wide platform with railings of recycled composite materials that extend approximately 8 feet from the footpath towards the lake on the west shore near the turtle logs previously installed by FOGL volunteers. The platform would improve views of the turtle logs with ADA-compliant access and would reduce the shoreline erosion and vegetation disturbance currently caused by turtle log viewers. Click here to read more.

heron on artificial wetlandFloating Wetlands
Install two floating wetlands in shallow areas of the lake to provide native waterfowl habitat on the surface and fish habitat underneath, and to improve water quality by their nutrient uptake. Three alternative sites have been proposed with the preliminary design of each wetland to be approximately 66 feet long by 8 feet wide. Click here to read more.

G L zero zero

Concept for a flat marker, starting with GL followed by a 2 digit number.

Path Emergency Markers
Install small markers every 150 feet along the Green Lake footpath with unique numbers whose locations are registered with Seattle Emergency Services. The markers would greatly shorten 911 call response time from current locating problems associated with the lack of visible street signs or landmarks. Click here to read the emergency marker project document.

Floating Wetlands Project

September 22, 2019

by Rob Zisette

Floating treatment wetland systems (floating wetlands) are engineered, vegetated rafts made of natural or inert materials that mimic floating bog mats. Root systems of the planted vegetation extend deep into the water and become covered with a biofilm comprised of a variety of microbes (algae, bacteria, fungi, and protozoans). The biofilm grows rapidly, taking nutrients and other pollutants from the water, improving water quality by reducing the nutrient supply for phytoplankton growth, and hence reducing algae blooms. The biofilm also readily adsorbs toxic pollutants dissolved or suspended in the water. Ultimately, the biofilm sloughs and becomes incorporated into lake sediments. Some nutrients (approximately 20%) are also incorporated into the planted vegetation during active growth that become incorporated into the wetland media. Floating wetlands also reduce high water temperatures from shade. The degree of water quality improvement depends primarily on the floating wetland area in relation to the water body area, but also depends on nutrient concentrations, water currents, temperature, and dissolved oxygen.

floating ecosystems
Read More »

Turtle Viewing Platform Project

September 22, 2019

by Rob Zisette

Years ago, FOGL volunteers anchored logs in the fragrant water lilies along the west shore of Green Lake for turtles to rest and sun themselves. This is very popular with the many Green Lake visitors, generating its own Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Lake-Turtle-Logs/212474222105388) and fascinating video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYWjjBD3-5M). Currently, the logs are obstructed from view by trees and are difficult to view from a wheel chair. In addition, the lake shore is being eroded by the many visitors trying to get a better view.

turtles on logs

A viewing platform would be constructed in compliance with City code and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)to facilitate turtle log observations for all visitors.The platform would be located between the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) of the lake and the inside edge of the gravel path, which is approximately 4 feet higher than and 15-20 feet from the OHWM. A plan view of our preliminary concept is presented in Figure 2. It includes platform with dimensions of 12 feet wide by 8 feet deep and an access ramp 8 feet wide to meet ADA requirements (i.e., width of at least two wheel chairs and low slope). However, the ramp may simply consist of a short metal plate connecting the path to a platform at the same elevation as the path. A railing would surround the platform to protect visitors from falling off the platform. A small educational sign about turtles could be included on the platform railing.
Read More »

Friends of Green Lake Says Thank You to All Who Donated in Memory of Taiga

September 21, 2019

The Friends of Green Lake (FOGL) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure a healthy lake for wildlife and recreation (https://friendsofgreenlake.org). FOGL is receiving approximately $9,000 in donations in memory of Taiga Hinckley who was tragically lost on the lake July 4, 2018 (https://www.gofundme.com/taigahinckley). FOGL members have considered a wide variety of projects for these funds and have met with Taiga’s family to discuss project ideas and understand their interests. Together, we have selected two potential meaningful Taiga projects: Turtle Viewing Platform and Floating Wetlands. These projects are briefly described to provide Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) with our initial concepts for consideration by SPR regarding project feasibility and the potential for SPR funding and staff support.

Green Lake Monitoring – September 16, 2019

September 16, 2019

Secchi Depth: 1.2 Meters (3.9 feet)
Water Temp: 19.5 degrees C (67.1 degrees F)

Lake Water Quality is monitored weekly by Jeffrey Howard at East Green Lake from the T-dock near the Green Lake Community Center. The weekly data are reported quarterly and uploaded to the King County Lakes website available here. Select “Green-1” and “View Data”. General lake information, water quality data, and reports are available here.

For continuous Green Lake Water Level and Temperature Gauge data tracked by King County, go to the King County Hydrologic Information Center website where you can search for both temperature (in C) and lake elevation. Here are instructions:
1. Click on either Water Temperature or State Only Gage to get a map of monitoring sites.
2. Click on the red dot at Green Lake.
3. Click on View Graph. (The graph is currently being updated to improve visibility.) More data selections are listed left of the graph.

NO Green Lake Stewards Work Party in September

September 11, 2019

We’re Taking September Off … But Be Sure to Come Join Us
Saturday  October  12 at 9 AM  for Weeding and Watering Fun!

We are taking September off to sharpen our secateurs. (Check the dictionary!)  And don’t forget to mark your calendar for the next work party which is scheduled for October 12th at 9 AM; you will see a reminder in early October.

Questions? Email us at greenlakestewards@gmail.com.

Hope to see you next month!

 

Green Lake Monitoring – September 8, 2019

September 8, 2019

Secchi Depth: 1.4 Meters (4.6 feet)
Water Temp: 21.0 degrees C (69.8 degrees F)

Lake Water Quality is monitored weekly by Jeffrey Howard at East Green Lake from the T-dock near the Green Lake Community Center. The weekly data are reported quarterly and uploaded to the King County Lakes website available here. Select “Green-1” and “View Data”. General lake information, water quality data, and reports are available here.

For continuous Green Lake Water Level and Temperature Gauge data tracked by King County, go to the King County Hydrologic Information Center website where you can search for both temperature (in C) and lake elevation. Here are instructions:
1. Click on either Water Temperature or State Only Gage to get a map of monitoring sites.
2. Click on the red dot at Green Lake.
3. Click on View Graph. (The graph is currently being updated to improve visibility.) More data selections are listed left of the graph.

Green Lake Monitoring – September 1, 2019

September 1, 2019

Secchi Depth: 1.7 Meters (5.6 feet)
Water Temp: 23.8 degrees C (74.8 degrees F)

Lake Water Quality is monitored weekly by Jeffrey Howard at East Green Lake from the T-dock near the Green Lake Community Center. The weekly data are reported quarterly and uploaded to the King County Lakes website available here. Select “Green-1” and “View Data”. General lake information, water quality data, and reports are available here.

For continuous Green Lake Water Level and Temperature Gauge data tracked by King County, go to the King County Hydrologic Information Center website where you can search for both temperature (in C) and lake elevation. Here are instructions:
1. Click on either Water Temperature or State Only Gage to get a map of monitoring sites.
2. Click on the red dot at Green Lake.
3. Click on View Graph. (The graph is currently being updated to improve visibility.) More data selections are listed left of the graph.