NSEA Tenmile Creek Tributary Mulching

Spread mulch around recently planted trees and shrubs to protect them as they grow through the summer. Not only will the mulch improve soil structure as it decomposes, but it also supports plants by conserving soil moisture, moderating temperature, and impeding the growth of weeds and grasses. This project is on a tributary that runs directly into Tenmile Creek, a tributary of the Nooksack River.
Tenmile Creek has historical documented presence of chum and coho, as well as steelhead and resident trout. In the early 1900’s this creek supported large runs of chum and coho that continued into the 30’s. These runs were so plentiful that some of the salmon carcasses would overflow into nearby fields. However, due to extensive habitat alteration and degradation, salmon runs drastically declined in the 50’s and 60’s.
Streamside native vegetation was lost in the process of modifying the creeks to better suit farmlands. This meant that there was a decrease in large woody debris (LWD) inputs and an increase in flow of sediments and nutrients into the creeks. The loss of native vegetation meant that invasive species, such as reed canary grass, could flourish and quickly overtake the riparian zone. Reed canary grass clogs streams and slows the flow of water making it very hard for salmon to swim in slow, murky waters.