As an Island community, Bainbridge Island depends upon the 59 seasonal and perrenial streams and 53 miles of shoreline as a food source, an economic driver through tourism, and a recreational retreat. The Water Quality and Flow Monitoring Program, developed through a Centennial Clean Water Fund Grant, was designed to monitor freshwater and nearshore (marine) water quality to restore and protect these beneficial uses.
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Springbrook Creek |
Most pollutants found in waters of the state are believed to be delivered via stormwater runoff; therefore, the quantification of stormwater runoff impacts on our Island streams and along our shoreline is critical in our success in restoring and protecting our waters. In 2008-2010 a Stormwater Work Group established by the Department of Ecology and Puget Sound Partnership developed a Stormwater Monitoring and Assessment Scientific Framework and Implementation Strategy for Puget Sound. The primary strategic initiative involves the monitoring and assessment of streams and nearshore environments to determine the presence of pollutants, identify likely pollutant sources, and provide education and technical guidance to eliminate these sources.
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At present, your Water Resources Specialist is compiling all monitoring data collected since the Water Quality and Flow Monitoring Program’s development in 2007 to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the status and trends in the water quality of the Island’s streams and nearshore waters. The primary water quality parameters monitored during this period include stormwater runoff pollutants such as bacteria, nutrients, pesticides, hydrocarbons, metals, and other toxics; in situ physio-chemical parameters such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and turbidity; biological integrity indicators such as macroinvertebrate (stream bug) diversity; and stream hydrology (flow).
Current monitoring includes automated continuous flow monitoring in three streams and one stormwater outfall, monthly water quality grab sampling in 15 streams and one stormwater outfall, and annual macroinvertebrate sampling in six streams.
Yes, we welcome volunteer assistance! If interested, call or email (see contact information at the top of this page).
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