Little Bear Creek Stormwater Mgmt. Action Plan (SMAP)

Background and Purpose

In 2017, Snohomish County completed a Little Bear Creek Basin Plan (Water Quality Study) as part of the county’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit requirement. 


As a next step in the NPDES permit requirements, Snohomish County has completed an action plan that identifies stormwater management actions (programs and projects) and land management/development strategies, known as the Little Bear Creek Stormwater Management Action Plan (SMAP). The Little Bear Creek SMAP includes short-term actions for the first six years, and long-term actions to be accomplished within seven to 20 years. 


Final Little Bear Creek Stormwater Management Action Plan

View the completed SMAP and Appendix below:


Little Bear Creek SMAP Timeline

Click on the image below to enlarge.


LBC SMAP Funnel Diagram Opens in new window


Projects that Benefit Little Bear Creek 

Several Snohomish County projects that benefit Little Bear Creek water quality include:

  • Cutthroat Creek Habitat Project: Completed in 2022, this project restored about 1,100 feet of stream habitat and re-established natural riparian vegetation for coho populations as well as benefiting Chinook salmon and steelhead. 
  • High-Efficiency Sweepers: Specialty vehicles used in the Little Bear Creek basin area by Public Works Road Maintenance crews to remove toxins in the roadways before they drift into the waterways of the Little Bear Creek basin.
  • Bioswale Retrofit Project: Located in the upper Little Bear Creek watershed, in the Silver Firs subdivision. Completed in 2022, this project improved the water quality function of an existing bioswale for a detention pond facility.

 Click below to open the interactive map.

LBC SMAP Project Map Opens in new window

Public Engagement

The Little Bear Creek Basin is approximately 8,550 acres or 13.4 square miles and located east of the cities of Bothell and Mill Creek and north of the City of Woodinville. The basin area has more than 5,000 households and is an important resource for fish, recreation, and open space.


The Little Bear Creek SMAP team performed public outreach to inform and receive input, ideas and feedback from residents, businesses, and partners during the development phase of the Little Bear Creek SMAP. The County plans to further conduct public outreach in the implementation phase.


Take Action to Protect & Preserve Water Quality

Snohomish County offers several opportunities for residents to learn and apply at home:

  1. Natural Yard Care Education: workshops, online resources 
  2. Pet Waste Program: veterinary clinics, public open spaces 
  3. Septic Care Workshops & Savvy Septic: workshops and finance program
  4. RainScaping: coming September 2022! Follow the link to sign up to learn more.