Category: General Information

Poison Hemlock is difficult to identify. It is in the carrot family and looks very similar to Wild Carrot, Queen Ann Lace, Wild Celery and others. If, after reading this, you still think you have Poison Hemlock on your property, contact the Grays Harbor Noxious Weed Control Board at: (360) 482 2934.

The following is an informative email exchange about Poison Hemlock between a resident on the waterways and Bruce Malloy, the president of the Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corporation. There is a link to a very informative YouTube video about poison Hemlock near the bottom of this email exchange. The resident’s identifying information has been removed from the exchange.

The immediate reason for this message is that I just returned from being away the past 3 weeks and noticed a growth around my dock that I’ve never seen before and I’m wondering what it is and how to get rid of it.  It’s like little flowerets with a reddish center and green frilly edges. 

     Thank you!

The following two photos were submitted by Resident.

WEBMASTER NOTE: Most of us find luscious blue green lawns very attractive. Sadly, the fertilizers used to maintain those beautiful, lush, weed free lawns dump huge amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen into our waterways system. Phosphorus, along with nitrogen, are two of a few primary factors responsible for weed and algae proliferation in the waterways system.

The city council recently authorized the city to fund a study to help identify problems and potential solutions in the fresh waterways system. We, the city ‘s residents, can do our part by either eliminating, or very judiciously using, chemical fertilizers and herbicides and removing and disposing of pet waste from our yards.

On Jul 8, 2022, Bruce Malloy <bmalloy50@gmail.com> wrote:

The new weed is most likely Azolla (also called water weed and mosquito weed) that returned this year after a 9 year absence. The treatment should take care of it. 

What canal do you live on? We would love to have a communications ambassador, let’s talk.

Bruce Malloy

On Jul 8, 2022, Bruce Malloy <bmalloy50@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Resident, You can call me on 206-818-4118. 

Brue Malloy –  President,
Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corporation

On Fri, Jul 8, 2022, Resident wrote:

I live on the south end of the Grand Canal.  Here’s pics of what has showed up.  I’ve lived here since 2014 and never seen this.  Hopefully the treatment will work!

I would be interested in volunteering as a person who provides initial information to be homeowners.  It seems that is needed?

When are your meetings or is there a person I can meet with regard this?

Thanks,
Resident

On Thu, Jul 21, 2022, Resident wrote:

Hi Bruce, 

Just returned home and starting to work on my canal edge and it appears that I have hemlock growing along the water’s edge.  This is highly poisonous to both humans and animals.  I don’t think I have a way to safely remove this and wonder if this is something that falls under the jurisdiction of the city control?  Has anyone else reported having these?

Here are a few photos of what I have growing.  Do you have any advice?

Resident

The following additional photos were submitted by Resident:

From: Bruce Malloy <bmalloy50@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jul 21, 2022
Subject: Re: Welcome to Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corp “New in the canal?”
To: Resident

Hi Resident, We get reports of poison hemlock almost every year, most turn out to be one of the hemlock look-alikes, wild carrot, or Queen Anne’s Lace. Totally edible!  It’s impossible to identify from a photograph but our Aquatic Biologist will be on the water treating the canal with herbicides at the end of July and he will have a look. Poison Hemlock is tall, has purple splotches on the stalks, and unique leaves, see attached video. Is it growing in the canal or on your property? If I remember correctly your property is on the south end of the Grand canal, correct? An address would be helpful.

Bruce Malloy,
President Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corporation

Bruce included this very informative YouTube video link about Poison Hemlock:

 

On Jul 23, 2022, Bruce Malloy <bmalloy50@gmail.com> wrote:

Resident, Doug will be on your dock in 15 minutes or so to post your treatment notice and look at the hemlock.  Call me plz and let me know what he thinks.

On Sat, Jul 23, 2022, Resident wrote:

Bruce, I wasn’t there but my friend was and Doug said it’s not hemlock.  I’m totally surprised but relieved.  

Thanks for your communication. I’m only home for another week so won’t be able to talk with you about my potential involvement with Fresh Waterways until late August.

Resident

The following are a few of the County resources available to Ocean Shores residents for help with noxious weed issues:

• Grays Harbor Noxious Weed Control Board has a Facebook page:
  • https://www.facebook.com/GHNWProgram/
• Grays Harbor Noxious Control Board also has several useful webpages:
  • https://extension.wsu.edu/graysharbor/weeds/
  • https://extension.wsu.edu/graysharbor/weeds/faq/#:~:text=Grays%20Harbor%20Noxious%20Weed%20Control,at%20360%2D482%2D2934.
  • https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/poison-hemlock

Reminder, there are two Fresh Waterways entities in Ocean Shores.

• The Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corporation was formed about three decades ago when concerned residents took it upon themselves to address waterways issues that the City was unable to tackle (at that time).
  • The corporation is a non-profit, made up of seven volunteer trustees.
  • For the past several years, the members have volunteered hundreds of workhours every year in their efforts to keep the waterways navigable.
• The Fresh Waterways Advisory Board is one of several City boards or commissions tasked with advising the Mayor and City Council.
  • It is also made up of volunteers
  • Several of the Water Corporation trustees are also members of the advisory board.
  • They meet on the first Monday of every month at the Library meeting room. Check the city website for exact time and meeting agendas.

This link opens Northwest Aquatic Eco-Systems (Doug Dorling’s) 2021 aquatic weed control post treatment report. The report highlights the extent of the weed control issues in our waterways and shows several pre and post treatment graphics in the various regions of the waterways along with (mostly) non-technical explanatory text. One word I did not know was “littoral” which is defined as a region lying along a shore.

The 2020 Paddle The Shores event scheduled August 1st has been cancelled due to Covid-19. Stay safe and hope to see you next year.

From: The Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corporation (OSFWC)

To: The Ocean Shores Community

Due to increasing health issues of several of our trustees, in addition to the Coronavirus concerns, we have
decided to suspend all activities until further notice. Although we love serving our community, our energy
reserves are waning. Consequently, the OSFWC is going into “emergency” mode, for now.

If you notice a water hazard (floating logs, wayward docks, dead deer in the water, etc.), please notify us via
email at: oswaterways@gmail.com. You can also contact us via our webpage at
www.oceanshoresfreshwaterways.com (click on the “Main Menu”, near the top of the page, and then click on
“OSFWC Contact Form”).

We will do our best to respond to emergency issues, but no promises.

Stay well, be considerate of others, and consider volunteering your time on a work crew or even as a new
Corporation Trustee.

Thank you,
Bruce Malloy
President, OSFWC

 

2019 Paddle Flyer   Download the 2019 Paddle the Shores Flyer.

Its early days yet, so who knows what other fun and exciting events will materialize.

 

Mark you calendar. Paddle the Shores. Saturday 31 August 2019

This will be another fun filled day of human-powered watercraft racing, cardboard boat building and (wet) racing. We hope to bring the dunk tank and the rubber duck race back again this year. Its early days yet, so who knows what other fun and exciting events will materialize. Once again, the event will be held across the street from the entrance to Oyhut Bay Village at

400 Salmonberry Lane, Ocean Shores, Washington

A lot goes into preparing for the Annual Paddle the Shores event. The following pictures are Fresh Waterways Trustees trimming and removing reeds that block the waterways signs so the paddlers can see the signs. Work party camaraderie is certainly fun, but the operative word is “WORK”. We enjoy working and volunteering time and effort towards making Ocean Shores a better place to live and recreate.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The 2019 Wine & Weeds event will take place on Saturday 28 Sept 2019. Click on the links above to either open or print the flyer.

• 

• 

Wine & Weeds is the annual Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corporation (OSFWC) membership drive and information event

• 

• 

Once again, we had a very productive and informative event. This year, we moved the event to the Lions Club. We have significantly more room and much better parking. We anticipate that all future Wine and Weeds events will also take place at the Lions Club 832 Ocean Shores Blvd NW, Ocean Shores, WA 98569

• Several new members joined the Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways (non-profit) Corporation.
• We all enjoyed the free wine and other refreshments.
• Our Senior Aquatic Biologist Consultant Doug Dorling showed a slide presentation about our waterways.
• Doug informed us
  • about the health of the waterways,
  • the types and toxicities (virtually non-toxic to animals and humans in the doses used) of the herbicides used for weed control,
  • some of the testing procedures and results of those tests.
  • Doug then answered a bunch of questions from the audience.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Wine and Weeds is the Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways (OSFWC) Annual membership drive. It happens close to the end of summer. Membership cost is $20.oo per household. All money goes into a fund that helps pay our boat registration fees, buy equipment or otherwise support the all volunteer efforts of our hard working board of trustees.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The trustees periodically remove dangerous trees or overhanging branches, primarily from the narrower canals. When possible, tree logs are staked to the banks edge which mitigates wake and wave damage to the fragil waterway edges.

• 

• 

• 

• 

They also work with the city’s public works department to haul carcases or other water hazards to shore so they can be properly disposed of.

Future projects will include:

• cleaning the waterways signs,
• working with our police department
  • to clean,
  • replace or
  • reposition and re anchor the various buoys in the waterways.

Mark your 2019 calendar. Wine and Weeds will take place on 28 September 2019.

At the Ocean Shores Lions Club
832 Ocean Shores Blvd NW, Ocean Shores, WA 98569

Annual Human-Powered Watercraft Race

2018 was the second year of what the Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corp (OSFWC) hopes to be an ongoing annual event.

There are four primary races. Entrants use every sort of self-propelled watercraft to include: kayaks, canoes, home-built and commercial-built pedal powered craft, Hawaiian styled outrigger craft and more.

Six Mile Race –

For many of the contestants this is a grueling self challenge, testing both their endurance and skill. The fastest contestants often challenge (maybe even exceed ?) the 5 mph speed limit on the canals. However, these light weight, human powered craft create virtually zero wake, eliminating concerns for wake damage to the fragile banks of the waterways. The racers faces often reflect their intensity.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Two Mile Race

• 

Paddleboard Race

• 

The Poker Run

is the most popular event. It is not a timed event. For many contestants, it provides an opportunity for a less physically intense paddle as well as an opportunity to take home a little cash prize. The course has seven stations scattered between Oyhut boat launch and the Bell canals. Contestants receive a sealed envelope that contains one poker card at each station. Once contestants gather all seven envelopes they paddle back to the start and turn in their envelopes. The judges assemble each poker hand. Best hand wins the prize money.

• 

• 

Dunking Tank

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Rubber Duckie Race –

sorry, no pictures. You purchase a batch of little yellow rubber duckies. All entries get put in a big bag, which gets dumped off the bridge. Wind propels the enthusiastic (well as enthusiastic as a rubber duckie can be) contestants towards the finish line. The first duck across wins and its owner gets their share of the pot. My memory is flakey, but I think last years winner took home close to a hundred dollars.

Traditional Cardboard Boat Race

was another big hit – you get two sheets of cardboard, duct tape, a box cutter and a time limit for you and your team to design and build your winning craft. One intrepid member of your team then faces the challenge of a timed race around a a buoy and back to the start. Shortest elapsed time wins the race.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The Ocean Shores Pirates

were on hand to start the big race and “intimidate” the spectators.

• 

• 

• 

• 

Fun was had by all as the many photos will attest to.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

We hope to see you at the 31 August 2019 Paddle the Shores Event

It is not too soon to start thinking about and training for the 31 August 2019 Paddle the Shores event. Help us make the coming event the biggest and best yet. Paddle the Shores is an ideal opportunity to visit and enjoy the many weekend vacation opportunities offered by Ocean Shores and especially our 23 miles of Fresh Waterways. Whether you sign up for one of the several races, or simply enjoy a leisurely paddle, or a walk on the beach, Ocean Shores offers abundant wildlife viewing and scenic landscapes. LIFE IS BETTER AT THE BEACH.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•