Background and Purpose
Snohomish County Surface Water Management (SWM) Division is identifying strategies for the Little Bear Creek Basin Plan to meet watershed planning requirement for the county’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit.
Most of the Little Bear Creek basin (about 8,550 acres or 13.4 square miles) is in unincorporated Snohomish County, east of the cities of Bothell and Mill Creek and north of the city of Woodinville. With more than 5,000 residents in the Little Bear Creek watershed area, this basin is also an important resource for fish, recreation, and open space (see map in right sidebar).
Basin Plan (Water Quality Study) (2015-2017)
In August 2017, SWM submitted the Little Bear Creek Basin Plan (Water Quality Study) to the Department of Ecology. The study found that compared to other nearby Snohomish County watersheds undergoing urbanization, Little Bear Creek has relatively good water quality and stream habitat conditions. However, land development over time has affected water quality and flow patterns in the watershed. Even with increased stormwater treatment associated with redevelopment, Little Bear Creek will fall short of certain water quality standards and targets. View the study. For additional information, visit the Little Bear Creek Basin Plan (Water Quality Study).
Action Plan (SMAP) (2021-present)
With the results of the Little Bear Creek Basin Plan (Water Quality Study), SWM is currently developing and evaluating stormwater management strategies (projects and actions) that will improve water quality in the Little Bear Creek basin.
For information and ongoing efforts, visit the Little Bear Creek Basin Action Plan (SMAP) webpage.
