Publication Summary

This study will assist Ecology and the Nisqually TMDL Advisory Group in prioritizing actions for cleaning up the bacteria in the creek.

McAllister Creek is in the Nisqually Basin and flows into the Nisqually Reach of Puget Sound. A Water Cleanup Study, called a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), was conducted by Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) in 2002 – 2003 (Sargeant, et. al., 2005). Many of the downstream sites did not meet the fecal coliform (FC) bacteria water quality standard for Extraordinary Primary Contact (WAC 173-201A, previously Class AA). Efforts have been made to reduce FC bacteria concentrations with implementation of agricultural BMPs and sanitary inspections. However, in the summer of 2008 elevated concentrations were seen during Thurston County Environmental Health′s routine sampling at River Mile (RM) 3.1 downstream of the Interstate 5 (I-5) bridge overpass. Implementation efforts for agriculture are reported to be complete in the upper watershed. This investigation is being initiated to characterize the creek in the reach between RM 3.7 (at the Martin Way bridge) and RM 3.1 where implementation efforts to reduce bacteria have not yet been completed. This study will assist Ecology and the Nisqually TMDL Advisory Group in prioritizing actions for cleaning up the bacteria in the creek.

Each study conducted by Ecology must have an approved Quality Assurance (QA) Project Plan. The plan describes the objectives of the study and the procedures to be followed to achieve those objectives. After completion of the study, a final report describing the study results will be posted to the Internet.