Winter storms have shifted the shoreline, added tons of logs and damaged marine boundary buoys at Saltwater State Park in Des Moines, prompting Friends of Saltwater State Park to ask visitors across South King County to report missing or damaged buoys while repairs are underway.

Because Saltwater State Park is a state park, removal of large logs and other shoreline debris can only occur from April through October, meaning winter storms can leave significant logs in place for months, according to Friends of Saltwater State Park.

The group said the changing shoreline can make beach access more difficult and can affect the placement and stability of buoys that mark the park’s Marine Protected Area.

“We’ve already had several buoy issues this winter, and that’s where you come in, Marine Park Stewards,” Friends of Saltwater State Park said in a message to the community, asking visitors to help monitor buoy conditions during the storm season.

The group said the southwest offshore buoy is currently using a temporary replacement while the permanent buoy is being repaired.

Visitors who notice a buoy that is missing, damaged or out of place are asked to email friends@friendssaltwater.org or send a message through the organization’s Facebook page here. Photos and videos are encouraged to help document conditions, the group said.

Friends of Saltwater State Park also encouraged more residents to volunteer as marine park stewards, saying community observers play an important role in helping protect the shoreline and nearshore habitat during the winter months.

Friends of Saltwater State Park is an official Washington State Parks Friends group in existence since 2016. Because of Saltwater’s mixture of habitats; such as the amazing underwater marine park for adventurous scuba divers, large intertidal beach for beach explorers, salmon bearing stream that weaves through a wonderful urban forest with hiking trails. The park attracts a variety of patrons who enjoy the myriad nature activities the park provides

“Thanks for helping care for this special place – nature needs observers, helpers, and the occasional buoy detective,” organizers said. “Want to get more involved? We’d love more marine park stewards in our corner.”

Learn more here: https://www.friendssaltwater.org, and donate to the group here: