Bear-Evans Watershed
Water Quality Improvement Projects

Waterbody Names	Bear Creek Cottage Lake Creek Evans Creek
WRIA	8
Counties	King County Snohomish County
Parameters	Dissolved Oxygen Fecal Coliform Temperature
Current Status	TMDLs approved by EPA
TMDL Approval Date (if applicable)	Fecal Coliform: August 11, 2008 Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen: September 29, 2008
# of TMDLs (if approved)	Fecal Coliform: 4 Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen: 4
TMDL Lead(s)	Sinang H. Lee

Introduction

The Bear-Evans watershed is located in Washington State, in Water Resource Inventory Area (WRIA) 8. It is situated west of the Cascades mountain range and east of Lake Washington, in the Puget Sound lowlands within northern King and southern Snohomish counties. The watershed drains approximately 51 square miles of land area. It includes the cities of Redmond, Sammamish, and Woodinville. Bear Creek is the major stream of the system, with Cottage Lake Creek and Evans Creek as its main tributaries. Bear Creek flows southerly for 12 miles through rural and suburban neighborhoods before joining the Sammamish River in the commercial district of Redmond.

Water Quality Issues

Too Much Bacteria

Measurements taken in Bear Creek, Washington State. Photo courtesy of Sinang Lee, WA Department of Ecology.

Bear, Evans, and Cottage Lake Creeks have too much fecal coliform bacteria. Stream samples from the creek show bacteria levels beyond what Washington State allows in our freshwaters. Fecal coliform bacteria are a common water quality problem in our state. They belong to a mostly harmless group of bacteria commonly found in large numbers in the feces of people and other warm-blooded animals such as pets, livestock, and wildlife. However, they indicate that more serious disease-causing organisms, called pathogens, may be present in the water. Stormwater runoff and other discharges can carry these small organisms into the creeks where they pollute the water.

Warm Temperatures and Low Oxygen in the Water

Parts of Bear, Evans, and Cottage Lake Creeks exhibit unhealthy temperature and oxygen conditions that cause them to fail Washington State water quality standards. Fish breathe oxygen in the water (dissolved oxygen). Cooler water holds more oxygen. Warmer water results in less oxygen for fish and other aquatic organisms. When water has too little oxygen or is too warm, local fish can face thermal stress and harm. These streams serve as important migration corridors and spawning and rearing areas for several salmon species -- Puget Sound Chinook, coho, sockeye, kokanee, steelhead/rainbow, cutthroat trout -- that all need cold water for optimum health during various stages of their lives.

Bear-Evans Creeks TMDL Study Area Map, Washington State. Courtesy of Sinang Lee, WA Department of Ecology.

What is being done?

To address the water quality issues, in 2006 Ecology initiated the Water Quality Improvement (TMDL) Projects for fecal coliform, temperature, and dissolved oxygen in the Bear-Evans Watershed. Ecology, King County, City of Redmond, and others cooperated in a summer field study to collect data for the temperature and dissolved oxygen TMDL studies. To coincide with this TMDL effort, Ecology initiated the fecal coliform bacteria TMDL study that same year.

As part of the TMDL study, Ecology identifies the pollution problems and specifies how much pollution needs to be reduced to achieve clean water. As a follow-up to the TMDL study, Ecology works with the local community to prepare a Water Quality Implementation Plan that details the specific actions needed to improve water quality in the basin. The plan describes management roles, activities, and schedules for partners.

Many local partners are involved in these projects, including the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe; King County; City of Redmond; Northeast Sammamish Sewer and Water District; King and Snohomish Conservation Districts; and Water Tenders. Most importantly, watershed residents, local businesses, and public citizens play an important role as well in improving water quality.

Status of the project

Fecal Coliform Bacteria TMDL Project Timeline:

December 2006	Ecology initiates TMDL study on fecal coliform bacteria in Bear-Evans watershed.
May 9 - June 9, 2008	Public comment period.
July 15, 2008	TMDL submitted to EPA for approval.
August 11, 2008	EPA approved TMDL.

Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen TMDL Project Timeline:

Summer 2006	Ecology initiates TMDL study on temperature and dissolved oxygen in Bear-Evans watershed.
Fall 2006 - 2008	Ecology works with key stakeholders to develop the Water Quality Improvement (TMDL) Report which will be ready for public comments in summer 2008.
July 21 - August 22, 2008	Public comment period.
September 23, 2008	Final WQIR submitted to EPA for approval.
September 29, 2008	EPA approved TMDL.

Technical information

Fecal Coliform:

Bear-Evans Watershed Fecal Coliform Bacteria TMDL Water Quality Improvement Report (Ecology publication)
www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0810026.html

Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen:

Bear-Evans Watershed Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Total Maximum Daily Load: Water Quality Improvement Report (Ecology publication)
www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0810058.html

Quality Assurance Project Plan for the Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen TMDL in Bear-Evans Watershed (Ecology publication)
www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0603107.html

Focus on temperature and dissolved oxygen in Bear-Evans Watershed (Ecology publication)
www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0610060.html

Related information

Bacteria:

Focus on Bacteria in Bear-Evans Watershed (Ecology publication)
www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0810047.html

"Let’s Talk About Bacteria in the Bear-Evans Watershed" presentation (PDF, ~11mb)
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/tmdl/BearEvans/BearEvansFCPresentation052708.pdf

WRIA 8: Cedar-Sammamish-Lake Washington Watershed Information (Environmental Assessment Program website)
www.ecy.wa.gov/apps/watersheds/wriapages/08.html

For more information

Sinang H. Lee
Water Quality Program, Northwest Regional Office
WA Department of Ecology
3190 160th Ave. SE
Bellevue, WA 98008-5452
Phone: 425-649-7110
E-mail: sile461@ecy.wa.gov

Last updated February 2009

Bear-Evans Watershed Water Quality Improvement Projects