Sequalitchew Creek was first settled by Native Americans hundreds of years ago. They realized the importance of the area in being able to supply sustainable living if done correctly. Deer were abundant, salmon plentiful and the water clean. In fact, where you now stand two winter long houses used to be. The creek drains about 40 sq miles of basin as far east as Kinsey Marsh via Murray Creek. From there, it drains into both American Lake and Sequalitchew Lake, both of which are additionally fed by springs. In 1950 the creek was damned and diverted, with most of the water now diverted to Solo Point, roughly a mile north from where you now stand. It is at this location that most of the creek’s initial water empties into Puget Sound. Built here at the outlet of the current creek is a railroad embankment. This manmade dam, as well as the upstream damn, has impacted the natural flow of the river and the course of the local geology. The culvert pipe that passes under the tracks is now the only way this creek is bonded to Puget Sound, limiting silt flow. Only when the tide rises high enough to cross the threshold will saltwater flow east from Puget Sound into the pond. Similarly, when the tide is slack, the pond of mostly freshwater before you will permeate through the ground and evaporate, leaving no natural outlet to the ocean. Only during periods of high rain will fresh water actually flow from east to west, through the culvert. At most estuaries, it is common to find silt at the confluence of the river and sound. This silt is essential for nurturing life. Silt provides a habitat for insects and crustaceans, in turn nurturing wildlife such as salmon and other fish. Fish lay their eggs in their silt. When the saltwater and freshwater are prevented from naturally interacting, the geology of the river flow is subject to change. I could give explain to you how, but I would rather you think about the changes that will occur. The below questions will help trigger that thought process.
1. Was the tide coming in through the culvert, going out, or stagnant?
2. Here is the critical thinking question folks. How much silt do you see at the bottom of the pond? Do you feel that there is more or less silt than would normally be present in a natural estuary? Why?
3. What are the long term effects of changing the natural geology/ ecology?
4. According to the sign, verbatium, what is the definition of an estuary (located in the yellow box)? In order to claim a find for the cache, please answer the above questions by sending an email.
5. In accordance with revised GSA guidelines, I'm asking for a photo to be included to prevent "armchair" finds. Please do not include the answers in your photo. Those without it after 31DEC23 will be deleted. Thank you.