Redmond's Historical program features our city "Park Ranger"!

The Redmond Historical Society meeting of November 10 featured a slide talk by Peter Holte, our city's environmental "Stewardship Coordinator". Peter wears many hats but I have always liken him to a "city park ranger". (Peter once helped me get some land-use stream maps when I was studying the Critical Area Ordinance.)

At the historical program I felt like I was listening to a national park talk - but we were at the Old Redmond School House! I took a few notes:

• 35,000 years ago Redmond was under a glacial lake.


• the length of the Sammamish River used to be 28 miles long. The River was straightened in 1912 and 1963 for flood control. It is 10 miles shorter today.


• the Army Corps of Engineers "took the kinks out" to handle 40 year floods - we haven't had any.


• After straightening, the river became became known as a "slough" (slow moving body of water) and is now technically a "flood conveyance facility".


• One of the most significant pollutants from roadway stormwater run-off is copper. Automobile brakes used to be made with asbestos and now copper is used.

Peter mentioned the re-channeling the Sammamish River during the 90th Street Bridge construction - to make the river more serpentine. In 1999 salmon were put on the endangered list and making the river "curvy" helps salmon survive.

Stormwater construction is going on now at Luke McRedmond park near city hall. The project involves making part of the slough curvy and serpentine to help the salmon, but also to control and treat the stormwater run out of large, new outfall.

Sidebar: Not spoken at the meeting but a couple of RHS (Redmond Historical Society) members have joined other citizens in advocating to re route Bear Creek away from SR520 and make it serpentine and more salmon friendly. Why? The WDOT (Dept. of Transportation) has plans to widen 520 bringing the highway only about 50-feet from the Creek!

Peter mentioned that converting our straight-ditch Bear Creek and Sammamish River to a serpentine routing helps salmon by providing "off-channel rearing" places. Salmon just don't get the shelter and cool water they need in a straight-ditch owing to the faster running waters.

Peter gave us some interesting history of Redmond's development:

Prior to the 1800's, Sqwak Indians inhabited the Redmond area; known as the "Willow People". Sqwak tribes were related to the Snoqualmie and Duamish tribes. 1871 - first land claim; 1876 - first steamboat on Sammamish River; 1880 - logging boom (firs 12 feet in diameter); 1890 - transition to farming; 1892 - first drainage district; 1916 - river drops 9 feet after Ballard Ship lock was built; 1963-64 river straightened into a slough. Peter asked the society for help in naming 1 or 2 streams. Only 4 have names. Mackey Creek is one.

Peter Holte's environmental city work is interfaced often with citizens who what to help. If you want to volunteer in one of his stewardship programs call: 425-556-2822. Or email Peter at pholte@redmond.gov. Students looking for community volunteer credits can work in his storm drain stenciling program or stream steward program.

Many thanks to the RHS for providing this interesting program. http://www.redmondhistory.org/