Protecting our Watershed - Hayden Creek Project

You may have seen the article in the CdA Press on May 10 th titled “Barriers built to Protect Hayden Lake”. The article discusses the efforts taken by the Hayden Lake Watershed Association to protect Hayden Creek from illegal ATV and vehicle use. The result of that illegal use is damage to a beautiful waterway and elevated release of sediment down Hayden Creek.  Elevated sediment entering the lake brings with it increased phosphorus loading and the potential for increased Harmful Algal Blooms in summer.

Volunteers planted well over 100 trees and erected barriers to discourage access to the creek. I was one of those volunteers and felt like I was making a difference, but more so, I really have to give credit to the Hayden Lake Watershed Association for identifying this threat, obtaining the necessary funding, and organizing the volunteers. The barriers made the area look like the last place I would want to drive an ATV or vehicle of any sort! I can only hope that those who create the illegal trails and bogs simply do not know the impact their recreation has on our watershed.