Tumwater Water Resources & Sustainability Department 

Welcome to the winter edition of One Water, where we bring together insights on stormwater management, wastewater, conservation, stewardship, and future planning. As the seasons change, so do the challenges and opportunities for our water systems. Dive in to discover how we can all play a part in protecting and preserving our most vital resource—water.

Check Your Stormwater Facility During the Rainy Season 

If this fall has seemed unusually wet, the data confirms it. The Olympia Airport typically receives about 17.17 inches of rain between October 1 and mid-December. This year, however, rainfall during that same period reached 24.5 inches—more than seven inches above average. The intensity of recent storms is especially notable, with 8.76 inches of rain recorded between December 6 and December 16 alone. 

The weather in the Pacific Northwest is famously unpredictable, particularly during the fall and winter rainy season. Periods of heavy rainfall like those experienced this December highlight the importance of ensuring stormwater ponds and treatment facilities are operating as designed. Major rain events provide valuable opportunities to observe how these systems perform under stress and to identify any potential issues.  If you have any questions about how your system functions, call the Water Resources and Sustainability Department at 360-754-4140 and ask for some technical assistance from one of our trained stormwater inspectors. 

While it is often unsafe or impractical to carry out maintenance while water is actively flowing through a facility, inspections during wet weather can reveal problems that might otherwise go unnoticed. If concerns are observed, they should be documented and scheduled for repair during the drier months, when maintenance can be conducted more safely and effectively. 

Keeping the “5 P’s” in mind (Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance) can make all the difference. Use the rainy season to plan ahead and ensure your stormwater facilities remain in top condition for the year ahead. 

Saving Water Year-Round 

It may not look like it outside, but even as atmospheric rivers bring ongoing rain through the month of December, Tumwater is in a state of moderate drought. Overall the state of Washington was warmer and drier than normal this year, with the past water year (Oct 2024-Sep 2025) ranked as the 4th warmest since records began in 1895. 

It is easy to remember to make water conservation a priority during the warm summer months, when rain is scarce. However, conservation year-round is important to preserve our community’s water supply, now and for the coming decades. Efficient water use also saves money for you personally, and goes a long way to reduce waste, protect watersheds, and mitigate the impacts of drought and climate change.  

For tips to get started saving water at home, visit epa.gov/watersense/start-saving. And to see Tumwater’s current drought status, as well as other informational maps of our water system, check out the USGS water dashboard at https://dashboard.waterdata.usgs.gov/.  

Trees in Winter 

In the winter, trees go dormant, which is similar to a state of hibernation. It may not seem like it, but trees continue working hard through this winter dormancy. Even without their leaves, trees can still intercept 40% of incoming rainfall, providing enormous benefits to humans and our infrastructure, like the ability to remove pollutants in soil by uptaking deposited heavy metals, oils, and other chemicals. Winter is one of the more crucial times of the year as trees are storing their resources and closing their pores to protect themselves as they build up the energy to stimulate another full year of growth, with some trees developing rings internally, illustrating the end of one year's secondary growth before it begins the next. Because of this, winter is the best time of year to do pruning or planting. Any wound created during the winter is healed more efficiently than in any other season. This also prevents wounds from suckering (or erupting in wild new growth). Winter is also a great time for planting trees because the tree is focusing more on its roots and storing energy, helping trees acclimate and establish while they have more water abundance in the soil. May this serve as a reminder that no matter the time of year, our trees are working hard for us. 

Knowing the Wild Side of Tumwater

For the past four years, Tumwater’s Water Resources and Sustainability (WRS) Department has partnered with the University of Washington’s Wetland Science and Management Program, hosting graduate students as they conduct practicum research in some of the city’s most valuable natural areas. Study sites include Kirsop Wetland Unit and Fishpond Creek, Palermo Wetland Unit, the Percival Creek sub-basin, Sapp Road Park, as well as the Capitol Lake Estuary conversion project, now managed by the Department of Ecology. 

Student research focuses on wetland health, restoration, wildlife management, and water quality. To date, 21 students have presented their findings associated with the Percival Creek, Fish Pond Creek, and Capital Lake basins , with all research available through WRS upon request. In 2026, WRS will host 12 additional students studying climate change impacts, endangered species, salmon habitat, and innovative restoration techniques such as beaver-assisted recovery. 

Working alongside public, private, and nonprofit industry advisors, students provide Tumwater with timely research that supports informed decision-making and opens new opportunities to restore and protect these fragile ecosystems. One recent outcome is a comprehensive restoration plan for Sapp Road Park, which will soon be reviewed by all stakeholders from the city and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife for a Hydraulic Project Approval permit. 

Sapp Road Park already serves as a living laboratory for forest, stream, and water resource education programs through the Tumwater School District and is an active restoration site for Tumwater Stream Team volunteers. Volunteers have already logged hundreds of hours removing weed barriers and invasive plants getting the park ready to implement the restoration plan once approved and permitted.  

Future restoration efforts will test and monitor innovative practices, helping guide regional best practices for invasive species removal, soil improvement, native planting, and wildlife management. Ultimately, this work strengthens the health of Percival Creek and supports a brighter future for returning Chinook salmon. 

To learn more about the Sapp Road Park restoration or other WRS projects, please contact the Water Resources and Sustainability Department. 

Tumwater Sustainability Division: 2026 Work Plan Highlights 

Tumwater’s Sustainability Division is growing and gearing up for an impactful 2026, with projects that strengthen climate resilience, protect natural resources, and support community well-being. 

Among the highlights is the Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment, developed in partnership with regional collaborators to evaluate risks to Tumwater’s people, infrastructure, and ecosystems. This work will guide adaptation strategies for hazards like extreme heat and flooding. 

Urban forestry remains a cornerstone with projects including a comprehensive tree inventory of city-maintained trees and proactive invasive pest management to safeguard Tumwater’s canopy. Updates to tree and landscape codes will ensure long-term protection of green spaces. The Division will also continue its role in Tree City USA accreditation and community events like Arbor Day. 

Community-focused projects include expanding resilience hubs to provide safe gathering places during emergencies, and developing a post-disaster mental health resource guide to support residents in recovery. Efforts to improve food equity partnerships will connect stakeholders to build a more sustainable and accessible food system. 

Finally, the Division will collaborate with Tribes on forage access projects, ensuring culturally significant plants remain available, and explore solar plus storage installations at city facilities to boost energy resilience. 

Together, these initiatives reflect Tumwater’s commitment to sustainability, equity, and preparedness—building a stronger future for all.