Bring Back the Beach: Removing Barriers While Improving Habitat

Lake Washington is a central feature of the Seattle metropolitan area, and its shorelines provide important habitat for salmonids, including federally threatened Chinook salmon and steelhead. The vast majority of shorelines on Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish are held in private ownership, and over 75% of the Lake Washington shoreline is armored with bulkheads.  Concrete or rock wall bulkheads, traditionally preferred by lakefront property owners, reduce the availability of shallow water shoreline habitat, which is critical for juvenile Chinook salmon.  

More sustainable shoreline alternatives use bioengineering approaches to protect houses while improving habitat for native fish and wildlife. These ‘Green shoreline’ alternatives create a more gradual sloping shoreline with overhanging vegetation to provide protected, shallow water habitat. 

Engaging residential property owners has broad benefits for fisheries enhancement nationwide. What does it take to convince private property owners that these approaches can provide a more visually appealing shoreline and improved recreational access to the lake while offering the potential for meaningful enhancement of the Lake Washington and Sammamish shorelines?  This presentation will outline effective approaches that can be applied throughout the country.