North Olympic Water Stories

07/27/2025

We need you to comment on the Rayonier Mill Cleanup by August 12th. Read more here:

At the public meeting earlier in July, I provided written comments to the Department of Ecology regarding the Rayonier Mill Cleanup. Here is...

01/23/2025

New blog post! Learn how Clallam PUD brings water to its customers.

12/15/2024

https://nowaterstories.blogspot.com/2024/12/king-tides-and-storm-surge-along-straits.html?m=1

Yesterday the National Weather Service put out an alert for coastal flooding caused by high tides and storm surge. I went down the Olympic D...

12/15/2024

http://nowaterstories.blogspot.com/2024/12/king-tides-and-storm-surge-along-straits.html

Yesterday the National Weather Service put out an alert for coastal flooding caused by high tides and storm surge. I went down the Olympic D...

12/15/2024

Here's a website with a calendar of King Tides:
https://wsg.washington.edu/community-outreach/hazard-resilience-and-climate-adaptation/king-tides/calendar/

King Tides are exceptionally high tides, usually occurring around the full moon. Dec 15-17 will be this month's King tides dates, with high tides of 9 feet at Dungeness.

Global warming can make King tides higher in several ways:
- sea level rise when warmer oceans expand
- more sea level rise from melting continental glaciers
- higher storm surge from more intense storms

More information at: https://www.epa.gov/cre/climate-change-coastal-communities

Remember to be safe! Be extra careful when walking on slippery surfaces and be aware of your surroundings. Be aware of weather conditions and big waves. Always stay a safe distance away from waves. Remember to obey safety signage and guard rails. Never turn your back on the ocean.

12/15/2024

Here's my extended biographical sketch:
I'm a licensed Environmental Engineer, and I’ve been working on water resources issues - water quality, streamflow, and climate impacts - since the 1980s. I have Bachelors and Masters degrees from University of California at Davis. I worked for Washington State for over 30 years, focused on computer modeling of water quality and statistical analysis of streamflow. I've also been an elected commissioner for a public water utility, and taught college classes about water. With the state I worked on climate adaptation issues, and I taught a college class about climate change. I currently live on the northern Olympic Peninsula where I live with my wife and near our grandchildren, enjoying magnificent vistas and a rich collage of rivers and streams. I volunteer with Clallam Streamkeepers and I support and participate in other climate and environmental groups.

12/14/2024

Storm surge high tide along the Olympic Discovery Trail

12/14/2024

Storm surge high tide at the mouth of Morse Creek.

12/14/2024

Welcome to my new page. I'll be sharing stories about the amazing water environments of the North Olympic Peninsula and how they affect our communities. Let me know about issues and stories around water that interest you.