Going…Going…Gone! Demolition of the large barn closest to SR-162 at the former Inglin Dairy marked the first stage of the salmon restoration
project underway at the South Prairie Creek Preserve.
Some of the final steps to restore a halfmile
section of South Prairie Creek for
improved salmon habitat are underway!
This project is the culmination of more
than 15 years of work to first acquire the
property from its previous owners, Bert
and Carolyn Inglin who ran their familyowned
dairy here for many decades.
That was followed by some initial planting
of the riparian and floodplain areas,
accomplished in large part by citizen
volunteers. Then a project development
team, led by the South Puget Sound
Salmon Enhancement Group, was
formed in 2013 to work through multiple
iterations of modeling, engineering
and design, grant applications, and
procurement of permits. And now,
construction!
After years of work, this project took
flight at the end of winter. The first order
of business has been demolition of the
former dairy structures and out-buildings.
These buildings, visible from SR-162, have
been landmarks in the South Prairie
Creek valley for years. Their absence
is one of the most tangible parts of the
project that the average passerby will
notice.
Over the next few months, an old side
channel will be excavated through the
north floodplain. Various types of large
wood structures will be installed in the
streambanks and on the floodplain.
Channel-spanning structures will be
placed in the mainstem to collect smaller
rocks and gravel for improved salmon
habitat. Several dozen acres will be
planted to provide long-term benefits
such as shade, habitat, and soil stability.
We look forward to bringing you a full
recap of the project as it progresses.
And starting this Fall, we expect to have
many opportunities for interested parties
to help with the plantings and see this
project up close.