Cooling off in North Creek is a popular summer activity. But this year, the creek’s bacteria levels have threatened to put an end to swimming and wading for years to come.
The North Creek watershed runs from Everett to Bothell, where it discharges into the Sammamish River. It is designated a Class AA stream, meaning it should be suitable for recreation and salmon spawning. Unfortunately, due to years of development around the watershed, combined with lack of public awareness about water quality, North Creek’s bacteria and mineral levels are beyond tolerable levels, making the creek unsafe.
While local activists wrestle with county planners regarding sustainable development issues, people who live and work around North Creek can take steps to clean up the stream.
Keeping the North Creek watershed clean doesn’t just mean keeping the water clean. According to Tom Murdock, head of the North Creek Watershed Coalition, all of the roads in the surrounding area are branches of the streams, considering more than 10,000 storm drains find their way into the North Creek system. It’s easy for someone to dismiss water quality as something his or her efforts couldn’t change. It’s also easy to say improving water quality requires radical changes like eliminating pets and gardens from our lifestyles. However, being aware of the simple steps you can take to beautify streams and watersheds can make a difference.
Murdock has a few suggestions for citizens looking to contribute to North Creek’s cleanup. Pet owners should dispose of their animals’ waste properly in order to keep it out of streams, and people living adjacent to creeks should plant native vegetation along the banks.
Some other measures you can take can be done right at home. If you are on a septic system, pay close attention to maintenance and repair schedules. Also, car washing can go from your driveway to a commercial car wash, where the runoff is disposed of properly. Instead of using inorganic fertilizer for your lawn or garden, use landscaping methods that don’t require fertilizers or pesticides. If chemicals are a necessity, use organic goods, as they break down slower, easing the stress on watersheds.
If citizens take the time and effort to alter their behavior, we can enjoy the lifestyles we have and simultaneously preserve the quality of watersheds.
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