In recent days, visitors to Shinglemill Creek have found a surprise for them at the water’s edge. The creek now seems more like a river after this season’s heavy rains.

At the Vashon Maury Island Land Trust, Executive Director Tom Dean said that the more than 100 logs set in the creek several years ago to help create structure there are holding up well and slowing the water down. This slow down is important for salmon eggs to survive, he added, noting that gravel can move downstream in large storms, taking the eggs with it when it goes.

The most recent salmon run was larger than expected, Dean said, but the outcome is not yet known.

“The big question will be looking for juvenile salmon in the spring,” he said. “That will be the telling moment.”

In recent years, logs have also been added to Judd Creek. Those are holding up well, too, he added.

The Seattle region has seen record-setting rain this month. The Seattle Weather Blog reports that in the first third of the month, nearly 6 inches of rain fell — more than a month’s worth of rain in just nine days.

In the forecast for this week and next: more rain.