Publication Summary

This is the third annual progress report for a six-year monitoring project being conducted by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The purpose of this project is to determine the effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs) installed in the Chehalis River basin to improve water quality and fish habitat.

This is the third annual progress report for a six-year monitoring project being conducted by the Washington State Department of Ecology. The purpose of this project is to determine the effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs) installed in the Chehalis River basin to improve water quality and fish habitat.

Accomplishments this year include: updating the quality assurance project plan for the project; conducting water quality monitoring in the Bunker/Deep Creek basin and Beaver/Allen Creek basin; conducting temperature monitoring in the North Lincoln Creek basin, the Salzer Creek basin, and the Mohney Creek basin; and conducting macroinvertebrate sampling on Deep Creek, and on a tributary to Mohney Creek. Reports completed this year include interim reports on Bunker/Deep Creek, Beaver/Allen Creek, the Chehalis River Project Area, and the temperature monitoring study. Maps for a Geographic Information System (GIS) Pilot Project were also completed.

Significant findings this year include statistically significant improvement in fecal coliform levels at a site on Deep Creek where BMPs were installed to limit cattle access to the creek.