Surface Water Management Division
The Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Program
Surface Water Management's Ambient Water Quality Monitoring Program assesses the biological, chemical, and physical health of streams in the County.
Biological health is assessed by identifying communities of benthic invertebrates (stream bugs) living in the stream beds. Chemical and physical health are assessed by collecting data at 29 established sampling sites in the County.
Puget Sound Stream Benthos Data available on the web. This document informs readers that Snohomish County benthic invertebrate data is now being posted to a regional database, and provides a link to that new database.
SWM monitors capital and habitat restoration projects to determine how well they function and to improve future designs. The results of the total monitoring program help SWM to:
- Evaluate baseline conditions and trends in surface waters
- Identify problem areas
- Determine which best management practices will most effectively reduce nonpoint pollution of surface waters
- Decide where projects or educational programs are needed
- Evaluate effectiveness of capital and habitat restoration projects
Activities
- Streams monitored monthly for water quality: Stillaguamish River, Church Creek, Fish Creek, Portage Creek, Pilchuck Creek, Glade Bekken, Quilceda Creek, Allen Creek, French Creek, Woods Creek, Pilchuck River, Catherine Creek, Little Pilchuck Creek, Dubuque Creek, North Creek, Swamp Creek, Little Bear Creek, Cutthroat Creek, Great Dane Creek, Trout Stream
- Annual benthic invertebrate monitoring for baseline data and to evaluate project effectiveness
- Summer stream temperature monitoring using recording temperature sensors
- Evaluation monitoring of capital and stream restoration projects
Information
Online stream water quality data
The 2000 State of the Waters Report
2002 Outfall Screening Report
Contacts
Kathy Thornburgh, Supervisor
425-388-3319
Steve Britsch, Project Specialist
425-388-3464, extension 4668