beaver creek #667 · 11/15/2011 09:10:00 6.38 7.0 11.87 124 100 5.3 9.48 0.066 0.655 staff gage...

Nisqually Watershed

WRIA 13

Chapter Includes:

Eaton Creek

McAllister Creek

Thompson Creek

Yelm Creek

222

Eaton Creek #0330

PART OF NISQUALLY REACH WATERSHED

LENGTH OF CREEK: 3.25 miles

BASIN SIZE: 4608 Acres

STREAM ORDER: 2

PRIMARY LAND USES: Military reservation Agriculture Rural residential

FISHERIES RESOURCES: (From A Catalog of Washington Streams and Salmon Utilization, WDOF) No anadromous fish

GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY: Elevation of the watershed is 200 ft. to 500 ft. It begins in a wetland and has a fairly low

gradient through the Evergreen Valley. The gradient steepens the last one-half mile as it flows to Lake St. Clair.

GENERAL WATER QUALITY: (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor)

Poor – Failed both standards for fecal coliform in Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, &2013/14, as well as the standards for pH, turbidity, & dissolved oxygen in Water Year 2013/14. Nutrient levels are high.

OTHER DATA: Thurston County Environmental Health Division, (360) 867-2626 or www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehswat/swater.html

Thurston County Resource Stewardship Department, Water Resources Program (360) 754-4681 or www.co.thurston.wa.us/monitoring

223

Eaton Creek #0330

Eaton Creek did not either parts of the fecal coliform standard in Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14.

The standard for pH requires the pH to be within the range of 6.5 to 8.5. There were no violations in water years 2011/12 or 2012/13. The pH standard was violated in November 2013 and March 2014.

The water quality standard for fecal coliform bacteria has two parts: the geometric mean shall not exceed 50 org/100mL and no more than 10% of the samples shall exceed 100 org/100mL.

The water quality standard for dissolved oxygen is a lowest one-day minimum of 9.5 mg/L. No violations occurred in water years 2011/12 or 2012/13. The dissolved oxygen standard was violated in August, 2014.

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Eaton Creek #0330

Discussion:

Eaton Creek was monitored between 1993 and 1998. Data collected during that time period showed fecal coliform bacteria contamination, likely from agricultural practices in the Evergreen Valley. In response, Thurston Conservation District, property owners and Stream Team volunteers took actions to improve Eaton Creek and Raymond Ditch. Actions included stream fencing, changes to animal-handling practices, and restoration of the riparian area with native plant species.

The McAllister/Eaton Creek Drainage Basin Plan was adopted in 1994. The plan included many recommendations for actions within the basin to address flooding, erosion and water quality.

Monitoring resumed on Eaton Creek in October 2007. The most recent data appears to indicate an improvement in the bacteria concentration, although the standards for turbidity, pH, and dissolved oxygen were violated in water year 2013/14.

While there is no water quality standard for nitrate in surface water, a US EPA study determined that the reference condition for nitrate+nitrite concentrations in streams and rivers of the Puget Sound Lowland ecoregion is 0.26 mg/L (EPA Publication 822-B-00-015). The mean annual concentration of nitrate+nitrite exceeded the regional reference condition of 0.26 mg/L during Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14, with concentrations of 0.654, 0.722, & 0.772 mg/L, respectively.

The total phosphorus regional reference condition is 0.019 mg/L, according to the above-referenced EPA report. The Eaton Creek Site mean annual total phosphorus concentrations for Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14 exceeded the regional reference condition of 0.019 mg/L, with concentrations of 0.053, 0.058, & 0.064 mg/L, respectively.

Major Issues:

Fecal coliform and nutrient impacts are likely from agricultural practices, both fecal coliformstandards were not met in Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14.

Concern about the stream influence on Lake St. Clair and McAllister Springs water quality. Mean annual nitrate+nitrite and total phosphorus concentrations exceeded the regional reference

condition for Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14.

Funding Sources:

Local Stormwater Utility

225

Water Quality SummaryConventional Parameters

Eaton Creek

Parameter Units WQ Standard

WAC 173-201A

Water Year Data: 2011/12, 2012/13 & 2013/14

Cumulative Data: 1993-2011

Water Year Mean Range

# samples violating standard

Mean Range

Temperature º C Highest 7-DAD Max of 16 º C

11/12 12/13 13/14

3.67 - 12.6 2.98 - 11.58 3.35 - 12.79

3.49 - 13.4

Dissolved Oxygen mg/L Lowest one-day minimum of 9.5

mg/L

11/12 12/13 13/14

10.27 - 12.61 10.12 -13.23 9.41 - 13.9

0 of 11 0 of 12 1 of 12

8.75 - 14.2

Conductivity μmhos/cm 11/12 12/13 13/14

115 122 119

74 – 131 99 – 137 91 – 136

109 64 – 145

pH 6.5 - 8.5 11/12 12/13 13/14

7.2* 7.0* 6.7*

6.6 - 7.5 6.6 - 7.3 6.4 – 7

0 of 11 0 of 12 2 of 12

7.4* 6.3 - 7.8

Turbidity NTU not to exceed 5 NTU over background

11/12 12/13 13/14

2.42 2.48 4.52

0.9 - 5.3 1 - 4.2

0.6 – 16

0 of 11 0 of 12 1 of 12

3.32 0 – 10

Fecal Coliform colonies/ 100 ml

GMV: <50 and < 10% not to exceed

100

11/12 12/13 13/14

57** 83** 76**

5 - 590 5 - 260

13 - 4000

% exceeding 100

56** 5 – 1000 27% 42% 25%

Total Phosphorus mg/L 11/12 12/13 13/14

0.053 0.058 0.064

0.045 - 0.066 0.043 - 0.082 0.044 - 0.156

0.054 0.02 - 0.083

Nitrate + Nitrite-nitrogen mg/L

11/12 12/13 13/14

0.654 0.722 0.772

0.479 - 0.824 0.51 - 0.908 0.502 - 0.952

0.613 0.233 - 0.935

* Median** Geometric mean value (GMV)

226

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 1 - 201 2 Eaton Creek @ Yelm Highway

Date Time Temp pH DO Cond @25c FC Turb Flow TP NOx COMMENTSC mg/L umhos/cm cfu/100mL NTU cfs mg/L mg/L

10/17/2011 09:45:00 8.10 7.5 11.89 131 40 2.3 5.74 0.049 0.824 Staff gage - 1.04. Q (discharge) uncertainty 5.1%.

11/15/2011 09:10:00 6.38 7.0 11.87 124 100 5.3 9.48 0.066 0.655 Staff gage 1.08'. Howard Hama in creek taking flows. Flow data is from HYH of the stormwater utility. Q (discharge) uncertainty 1.7%.

12/19/2011 09:30:00 6.38 7.0 12.61 126 25 1.6 6.93 0.051 0.815 Q (discharge) uncertainty 4.7%. Staff gage 1.06'.

01/23/2012 15:40:00 3.67 6.6 12.51 74 55 4.2 24.75 0.052 0.556 Staff gage 1.27' best estimate, creek surging. Q (discharge) uncertainty 4.5%.

02/13/2012 09:45:00 7.36 7.1 11.86 109 5 1.9 11.33 0.049 0.582 Staff gage - 1.11. Q (discharge) uncertainty 3.8%.

03/20/2012 09:30:00 6.45 7.1 11.68 98 25 2.0 16.42 0.061 0.479 Q (discharge) uncertainty 3.6%. Staff gage - 1.16.

04/16/2012 09:20:00 9.88 7.3 11.48 109 590 2.7 13.93 0.056 0.483 Q (discharge) uncertainty 5.5%. Staff gage - 1.15'.


06/12/2012 09:20:00 11.61 7.4 10.27 122 45 2.0 8.30 0.054 0.636 Q (discharge) uncertainty 3%. Staff gage - 1.08.

07/17/2012 08:00:00 12.60 7.2 10.64 130 40 1.0 6.44 0.049 0.698 Q (discharge) uncertainty 3.5%.

08/13/2012 09:50:00 11.58 7.2 10.36 132 1.0 6.22 0.042 0.814 Holding time exceeded for FC. Q (discharge) uncertainty 2.6%.


227

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 2- 201 3 Eaton Creek @ Yelm Highway


10/15/2012 09:30:00 11.08 7.0 10.35 137 220 1.9 7.90 0.082 0.682 Staff gage - 1.06'.

11/05/2012 09:00:00 11.54 7.2 10.64 122 5 2.1 8.91 0.073 0.577 FC results estimated: colony count outside optimum range of colonies per filter.





04/15/2013 09:10:00 6.43 6.6 12.47 99 252 3.2 17.29 0.062 0.510 Q (discharge) uncertainty 3.6%. Duplicates labeled "Early". Staff gage - 1.19'.

05/13/2013 09:20:00 11.30 6.9 11.46 127 260 2.5 8.47 0.048 0.772 Q (discharge) uncertainty 3.4%. Staff gage - 1.08'. FC's high at many locations within Watershed during this sample run.



08/12/2013 10:00:00 11.51 7.3 11.03 135 145 2.8 6.47 0.046 0.908 Q (discharge) uncertainty 3.3%. Duplicates labeled "Power-line". Staff gage 1.04'.


228

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 3- 201 4 Eaton Creek @ Yelm Highway









05/12/2014 09:15:00 9.82 6.7 11.41 112 120 3.9 13.31 0.063 0.616 Q (discharge) uncertainty 5.2%; Staff gage - 1.12'.

06/09/2014 08:45:00 10.84 6.8 10.65 132 38 1.8 7.90 0.047 0.876 Q (discharge) uncertainty 3.6%. Staff gage-1.05'


08/13/2014 09:30:00 12.79 6.5 9.41 120 4000 16.0 13.27 0.156 0.873 Staff gage - 1.12'. Fecal Coliform reported as TNTC -Too Numerous to Count >4000. Entered 4000. Q (discharge) uncertainty 1.8%. Heavy rain overnight.


229

McAllister Creek #0324


LENGTH OF CREEK: 6 miles

BASIN SIZE: 7,078 Acres

STREAM ORDER: 2 Significantly influenced by public water withdrawal for City of Olympia.

PRIMARY LAND USES: Rural residential Commercial and non-commercial agriculture Timber Commercial development near I-5 interchange Wildlife refuge

FISHERIES RESOURCES: (From A Catalog of Washington Streams and Salmon Utilization, WDOF) Coho, chum

GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY: Watershed varies from 200 foot bluffs to sea level, but the entire creek is below 20 feet. The creek is tidally influenced throughout its length. Its sources are springs, which were used by the City of Olympia for public water supply until November 2014. The city now draws water from wells up-gradient in the aquifer.

GENERAL WATER QUALITY: (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor) Fair - Failed both parts of the fecal coliform standard for Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14. The dissolved oxygen and pH standard is often violated. The Turbidity standard was violated once in February 2014.

OTHER DATA: Nisqually Tribe, 438-8687 (Water Quality Data)

Washington Dept. of Health, Office of Food Safety and Shellfish, (360) 236-3330

Thurston County Environmental Health Division, (360) 867-2626 or www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehswat/swater.html

230


Throughout the period of record the creek failed both Part 1 and Part 2 of the marine water quality standard for fecal coliform bacteria.

The water quality standard for pH is within the range of 7.0 to 8.5. The pH at McAllister Creek was below a pH of 7.0 four times in Water Year 2011/12, three times in 2012/13 and ten times in 2013/14.

The marine water quality standard for fecal coliform bacteria has two parts: Part 1 - the geometric mean shall not exceed 14 org/100mL and Part 2 - no more than 10% of the samples shall exceed 43 org/100mL.

In 2011/12 and 2013/14 the dissolved oxygen standard was met; however, it was exceeded three of the twelve times in 2012/13.

231


Discussion:

McAllister Creek is sampled as part of the long-term ambient monitoring program. McAllister Creek is within the Nisqually Reach Shellfish Protection District, which was created in 2001 after a downgrade of commercial shellfish growing areas. McAllister Creek was also sampled extensively throughout its length in 2002 and 2003 as part of a total maximum daily load study conducted by the Washington Department of Ecology. As a result of the total maximum daily load study, a water quality clean-up plan was completed in June 2005.

The creek is tidally influenced throughout most its length and has a very low gradient, both of which influence the water quality. From river mile 4.2 and downstream, McAllister Creek must meet the marine water quality standard for fecal coliform because RM 4.2 is the point where 95% of the daily maximum vertically averaged salinity values are 10 ppt or greater. The ambient sampling site is located at river mile 3.1, and therefore the marine standard applies. The creek has continuously failed to meet either part of the marine fecal coliform standard.

For all other parameters, the marine water quality standards are applied at RM 4.7 where 95% of the daily maximum vertically averaged salinity values are 1 ppt or greater. The water quality standard for dissolved oxygen is a lowest one-day minimum of 7.0 mg/L. All of the instantaneous dissolved oxygen measurements made in water years 2011/12 and 2013/14 met the marine dissolved oxygen standard. In the 2012/13 water year, one measurement below 7 mg/l was recorded. The marine water quality standard for pH is within the range of 7.0 to 8.5. The pH at McAllister Creek was below a pH of 7.0 four times in water year 2011/12, three times in 2012/13 and ten times in 2013/14. The marine water quality standard for turbidity is no greater than 5 NTU over background. The turbidity standard was violated once in February, 2014. The marine water quality standard for temperature on the McAllister Creek is a 1-day maximum of 13° C. Water temperatures above 13° C were measured in July and August of 2012; June, August and September 2013; And May and August 2014, respectively.

While there is no water quality standard for nitrate in surface water, a US EPA study determined that the reference condition for nitrate+nitrite concentrations in streams and rivers of the Puget Sound Lowland ecoregion is 0.26 mg/L (EPA Publication 822-B-00-015). The mean annual concentration of nitrate+nitrite exceeded the regional reference condition of 0.26 mg/L during Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14, with concentrations of 1.232, 1.238, & 1.249 mg/L, respectively.

The total phosphorus regional reference condition is 0.019 mg/L, according to the above-referenced EPA report. The McAllister Creek Site mean annual total phosphorus concentrations for Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14 exceeded the regional reference condition of 0.019 mg/L, with concentrations of 0.139, 0.162, & 0.145 mg/L, respectively.

Major Issues:

Improvement and protection of McAllister Creek water quality is critical to maintain the “open”classification of the shellfish growing area in Nisqually Reach near the mouth of the creek.

Non-point pollution problems from agriculture, on-site sewage systems, and stormwater runoffinfluence the water quality. There are on-going efforts by local, state, and tribal agencies toprotect and improve water quality, reflected by the violation of the fecal coliform standards.

The McAllister Geologically Sensitive Area and City of Olympia wellhead protection programare intended to protect groundwater and McAllister Springs, which is the headwater of

232


McAllister Creek. In 2001, the Nisqually Reach Shellfish Protection District was formed as a result of a

commercial shellfish harvest area downgrade. Mean annual nitrate+nitrite and total phosphorus concentrations exceeded the regional reference

conditions for Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14.

Funding Sources:

Local Stormwater Utility Rate

233

Water Quality Summary Conventional Parameters

McAllister Creek


WAC 173-201A

Water Year Data: 2011/12, 2012/13 & 2013/14


Water Year Mean Range # samples violating

standard Mean Range

Temperature º C Highest 1-D Max of 13 º C 11/12 12/13 13/14

5.73 - 14.18 6.61 - 14.35 3.86 - 15.76

2 of 12 3 of 12 2 of 11

4.61 - 16.37

Dissolved Oxygen mg/L Lowest one-day minimum of 7.0 mg/L

11/12 12/13 13/14

7.2 - 9.72

6.42 - 11.46 7.79 - 10.25

0 of 12 3 of 12 0 of 11

3.42 - 13.13


3572 1143 2267

206 - 25000 195 - 4243 497 - 6600

3397 11 – 33960

pH 7.0 - 8.5 11/12 12/13 13/14

7* 7.05* 6.7*

6.6 - 7.1 6.7 - 7.2 6.2 - 7

4 of 12 3 of 12

10 of 11

7.1* 6.4 - 7.8


11/12 12/13 13/14

1.79 2.78 3.32

0.6 - 4.4 0.7 - 8

1.2 - 9.7

0 of 12 0 of 12 1 of 11

4.32 0.1 – 38


GMV < 14 colonies/100 ml and < 10% not to exceed

43 colonies/100 ml

11/12 12/13 13/14

33** 28** 21**

10 - 100 5 - 95

5 - 140

% exceeding 43

57** 5 – 7500 58% 42% 33%


0.139 0.162 0.145

0.1 - 0.166 0.128 - 0.23 0.127 - 0.178

0.156 0.107 - 0.229

Nitrate + Nitrite-nitrogen mg/L 11/12 12/13 13/14

1.232 1.238 1.249

0.877 - 1.39 1 - 1.53

0.982 - 1.54

1.238 0.517 - 1.93

* Median ** Geometric mean value (GMV)

234

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 1 - 201 2 McAllister Creek @ I-5 Southbound on-ramp


10/18/2011 17:00:00 10.35 7.1 8.16 1053 45 0.7 0.166 1.390 Salinity 0.53.

11/15/2011 14:15:00 8.51 7.0 8.38 4300 20 1.8 0.142 1.370 Salinity 2.3.

12/20/2011 16:30:00 8.09 7.1 8.13 25000 15 2.9 0.100 0.877 Salinity 15.14.

01/23/2012 11:50:00 5.73 6.6 9.72 1490 45 4.4 0.143 1.350

02/14/2012 15:45:00 9.10 6.9 9.26 4900 10 2.6 0.127 1.350 Salinity 2.6%.

03/19/2012 09:30:00 7.52 7.1 9.24 1960 15 2.5 0.140 1.110

04/17/2012 10:20:00 10.70 7.0 8.69 790 15 1.4 0.141 1.150

05/14/2012 09:30:00 12.92 7.0 8.60 295 65 1.5 0.141 1.340

06/14/2012 08:00:00 11.89 7.1 8.27 1283 55 1.0 0.140 1.250

07/19/2012 11:15:00 13.55 7.0 9.00 681 65 0.6 0.138 1.240

08/15/2012 09:50:00 14.18 6.8 7.37 906 100 1.4 0.148 1.160

09/12/2012 09:00:00 10.77 6.7 7.20 206 45 0.7 0.142 1.200 FC results estimated: colony count outside optimum range of

235

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 2- 201 3 McAllister Creek @ I-5 Southbound on-ramp


10/16/2012 12:00:00 11.67 7.0 6.98 4243 85 2.1 0.175 1.310 Salinity 2.29. DO 65% sat. FC results estimated: colony count outside optimum range of colonies per filter.

11/07/2012 07:10:00 9.79 7.0 6.42 360 95 2.5 0.230 1.130 FC results estimated: colony count outside optimum range of colonies per filter.

12/11/2012 08:45:00 8.41 6.8 7.58 2452 35 1.9 0.163 1.360 Salinity 1.27.

01/15/2013 14:30:00 6.61 7.1 9.56 1330 35 3.3 0.157 1.530 Salinity 0.67.

02/12/2013 13:40:00 9.36 7.1 9.02 952 5 3.5 0.164 1.100

03/05/2013 15:00:00 8.56 7.1 9.75 1830 0 3.3 0.162 1.380 FC reported as <5.

04/17/2013 16:10:00 11.67 7.1 10.52 195 5 2.4 0.168 1.400

05/14/2013 14:00:00 12.65 7.0 11.46 426 50 2.5 0.157 1.210

06/11/2013 12:30:00 13.05 7.1 9.20 495 35 8.0 0.128 1.230

07/18/2013 08:00:00 12.92 6.9 7.96 993 70 2.0 0.131 1.100 Conductivity 993 and falling.

08/13/2013 15:00:00 14.35 7.2 9.13 221 25 1.1 0.146 1.110 FC's high for most samples on this date.

09/09/2013 11:30:00 13.90 6.7 6.53 213 80 0.7 0.165 1.000

236

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 3- 201 4 McAllister Creek @ I-5 Southbound on-ramp


10/22/2013 14:35:00 10.69 6.9 7.94 1620 20 2.2 0.136 1.330

11/20/2013 13:30:00 8.33 7.0 8.18 1457 10 3.6 0.155 1.210

12/09/2013 16:15:00 3.86 6.6 10.08 4550 15 4.3 0.141 1.350 Salinity 2.41.

01/15/2014 11:15:00 8.81 6.6 7.99 2132 15 3.2 0.138 1.540 Salinity: 1.09.

02/12/2014 10:30:00 8.55 6.8 10.25 6600 0 9.7 0.142 0.982 FC reported as <5. Salinity 3.64. Conductivity falling rapidly.

03/19/2014 12:45:00 9.89 6.7 8.53 1027 10 3.7 0.151 1.340

04/16/2014 13:15:00 10.89 6.6 8.45 832 30 1.2 0.178 1.130

05/14/2014 10:40:00 13.38 6.7 8.99 497 58 3.4 0.156 1.390 Duplicates labeled "Medicine Creek".

06/11/2014 09:00:00 12.77 6.9 9.43 1301 55 2.2 0.127 1.340

07/16/2014 14:40:00 65 0.145 1.010 No field data. YSI powered up but would not connect. Samples only.

08/12/2014 12:30:00 15.76 6.2 7.79 3429 140 1.2 0.127 1.150

09/15/2014 16:45:00 12.86 6.9 8.59 1497 5 1.8 0.145 1.220 colonies per filter.

237

Thompson Creek # 0041


LENGTH OF CREEK: ~ 4 miles

BASIN SIZE: 10,295 acres, approximately 16 square miles

STREAM ORDER: 2

PRIMARY LAND USES: Forest Land Urban and rural residential

FISHERIES RESOURCES: (From A Catalog of Washington Streams and Salmon Utilization, WDOF) Coho

GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY: The headwaters are a wetland system near residential areas within the City of Yelm. The creek has a low gradient and is often dry in the upper reaches. It flows throughout its entire length only after significant or sustained wet season precipitation when shallow

groundwater levels are high. The creek starts at approximate elevation of 330 feet at the headwaters and flows across the prairie to elevation 308 feet. It then drops off the prairie through a forested ravine to the Nisqually River at an approximate elevation of 106 feet.

GENERAL WATER QUALITY: (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor)

Good - Met water quality standards. Nitrate concentrations are high.

OTHER DATA: Thurston County Environmental Health Division, (360) 867-2626 www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehswat/swater.html


238

http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/monitoring

Thompson Creek #0041

Thompson Creek mouth station has met both parts of the fecal coliform standard since monitoring began in 2008.

The water quality standard for pH requires the pH to be within the range of 6.5 to 8.5. The creek has met the pH standard consistently since 2008, with the exception of July and August 2015, with pH values of 6.5 & 6.4, respectively.

The state water quality standard for fecal coliform has two parts: Part 1 - the geometric mean shall not exceed 50 colonies/100mL and Part 2 - no more than 10% of the samples shall exceed 100 colonies/100 mL.

The water quality standard for dissolved oxygen is a lowest one-day minimum of 9.5 mg/L. There have been no violations since 2008 at the Thompson Creek mouth station.

239

Thompson Creek # 0041

Discussion:

Monthly monitoring near the mouth of Thompson Creek began in July of 2008. The water quality data is summarized and compared against the state water quality standard in the table on the following page.

Thompson Creek met all of the water quality standards for the parameters measured, with the exception of pH in July and August 2014, with values of 6.5 & 6.4, respectively. The temperature standard that applies in Thompson Creek is intended to protect core summer salmonid habitat, and is a 7-day average daily maximum of 16 º C. The temperature data collected through this ambient monitoring program are instantaneous measurements. Because there are not continuous temperature recordings from which the 7-day average daily maximum can be calculated, the instantaneous data can only be used as an indicator of possible temperature violations. There were no temperature measurements above the maximum criteria during Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14. .

Nitrate concentrations in Thompson Creek were high year-round, which is most likely a reflection of the groundwater quality in the area. While there is no water quality standard for nitrate in surface water, a US EPA study determined that the reference condition for nitrate+nitrite concentrations in streams and rivers of the Puget Sound Lowland ecoregion is 0.26 mg/l (EPA Publication 822-B-00-015). The average nitrate concentrations for Thompson Creek for Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14 are 1.88, 1.86, & 1.77 mg/L, respectively. These nitrate concentrations are well above the reference condition of 0.26 mg/L.

According to the above-referenced EPA report, the total phosphorus regional reference condition is 0.019 mg/L. The average total phosphorus concentrations for Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14 were 0.019, 0.018, & 0.019 mg/L, respectively. These total phosphorus concentrations are at or slightly below the reference condition.

Major Issues:

Development in the Thompson Creek watershed could increase stormwater runoff and furtheraffect the groundwater quality that provides the base flow for the creek.

High nitrate levels exceeding aforementioned reference level of 0.26 mg/L are presentthroughout the 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14 Water Years, and have been historically high.

Total phosphorus levels for Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14 were at or just below theaforementioned reference condition of 0.019 mg/L.

Funding Sources:

County Storm and Surface Water Utility

240


Thompson Creek @ Centralia Power Park


WAC 173-201A

Water Year Data: 2011/12, 2012/13 & 2013/14




Mean Range

Temperature º C Highest 7-DAD Max of 16.0 º C

11/12 12/13 13/14

8.57 - 9.73 8.13 - 9.85 8.26 - 9.85

8.3 - 10.28


11/12 12/13 13/14

10.81 - 12.69 10.37 - 12.44 10.69 - 12.2

0 of 11 0 of 12 0 of 12

10.43 - 13.19


128 131 129

100 - 137 113 - 137 114 - 136

132 90 – 140

pH 6.5 - 8.5 11/12 12/13 13/14

7* 6.9* 6.7*

6.8 - 7.2 6.6 - 7.1 6.4 - 7.2

0 of 11 0 of 12 1 of 12

7.1* 7 - 7.3


11/12 12/13 13/14

0.35 0.43 0.86

0 - 1.4 0 - 1.7 0 - 4.5

0 of 11 0 of 12 0 of 12

0.72 0 - 4.3


GMV: <50 and < 10% not to exceed 100

11/12 12/13 13/14

5** 6** 6**

5 - 15 5 - 150 5 - 30

% exceeding 100

6** 5 – 295 0% 8% 0%


0.019 0.018 0.019

0.014 - 0.023 0.011 - 0.023 0.015 - 0.024

0.019 0.012 - 0.032


11/12 12/13 13/14

1.879 1.863 1.774

1.15 - 2.27 1.36 - 2.1

1.38 - 2.02

2.436 0.92 - 2.99


241

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 1 - 201 2 Thompson Creek @ Centralia Power Park


10/17/2011 10:30:00 9.42 7.0 11.23 137 0 0.0 1.75 0.018 2.160 FC reported as <5. Q uncertainty 22.4%

11/15/2011 10:00:00 8.84 6.9 11.19 137 0 0.0 1.73 0.015 2.220 FC reported as <5. Q uncertainty 22%. Turbidity read minus 0.4.

12/19/2011 10:15:00 8.81 6.9 11.62 136 0 0.0 1.96 0.018 2.260 FC reported as <5.

01/23/2012 12:45:00 8.57 7.0 12.00 130 0 1.4 0.021 2.030 FC reported as <5. Q) uncertainty 16.4%.

02/13/2012 10:15:00 9.11 7.0 11.89 134 0 0.5 2.95 0.019 2.270 FC reported as <5. Q uncertainty 9.2%.

03/20/2012 10:30:00 8.82 7.1 11.90 100 5 1.3 5.49 0.023 1.150 Q uncertainty 11.6%.



06/12/2012 10:15:00 9.60 7.0 10.81 131 5 0.2 3.13 0.018 1.960 Q uncertainty 8.3%.

07/17/2012 10:15:00 9.73 6.9 11.30 134 15 0.0 2.35 0.017 2.110 Q uncertainty 9.6%.

08/13/2012 10:50:00 9.90 6.8 10.30 136 0.1 2.58 0.019 2.080 Holding time exceeded for FC. Q uncertainty 8.4%. .


242

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 2- 201 3 Thompson Creek @ Centralia Power Park


10/15/2012 10:20:00 9.54 6.8 11.23 135 5 0.0 2.03 0.018 1.990 FC results estimated:

11/05/2012 09:40:00 9.71 7.0 12.01 133 0 0.9 2.06 0.017 1.880 FC reported as <5.

12/11/2012 10:15:00 9.00 7.0 10.69 129 0 0.3 2.41 0.021 1.990 Q (discharge) uncertainty 7%. FC reported as <5.


02/11/2013 10:15:00 8.84 7.1 12.44 135 0 0.0 2.26 0.020 1.930 Q (discharge) uncertainty 6.0%. FC reported as <5.




06/11/2013 10:40:00 9.37 6.8 10.83 134 10 0.0 2.50 0.017 2.100 Q uncertainty 19.7%. Turbidity read -0.2.

07/15/2013 10:00:00 9.57 6.7 11.36 135 150 0.0 1.10 0.022 1.860 Q uncertainty 16.4%.

08/12/2013 10:40:00 9.85 6.7 11.34 137 0 0.9 2.81 0.018 1.970 Q uncertainty 11.0%. FC reported as <5.

09/10/2013 10:00:00 9.63 6.6 10.37 118 10 0.2 2.38 0.011 1.360 Q uncertainty 16.3%.

243

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 3- 201 4 Thompson Creek @ Centralia Power Park


10/21/2013 10:30:00 9.23 6.8 10.88 135 0 0.1 1.05 0.020 2.000 FC reported as < 5. Q (discharge) uncertainty 25.1%.

11/18/2013 10:00:00 9.50 6.7 11.33 135 20 1.1 1.98 0.019 2.020 Q uncertainty 16.4%.

12/09/2013 10:00:00 8.26 7.2 12.07 136 0 1.1 2.28 0.021 2.000 Q uncertainty 10.1%. FC reported as <5.

01/13/2014 09:45:00 9.16 7.0 11.88 132 0 4.5 2.17 0.024 1.970 Duplicate labeled "Power". Q uncertainty 11.6%. FC reported as <5.




05/12/2014 10:00:00 9.26 6.7 11.76 124 30 0.7 3.60 0.019 1.590 Q (discharge) uncertainty 7.7%;

06/09/2014 10:00:00 9.33 6.6 10.73 130 5 0.0 2.95 0.015 1.750 Q (discharge) uncertainty 6.9%. Turbidity read -0.3.




244

Yelm Creek # 0043


LENGTH OF CREEK: 9 miles

BASIN SIZE: 15,667 acres; 31.5 square miles

STREAM ORDER: 2

PRIMARY LAND USES: Urban and Rural Residential Forestland

FISHERIES RESOURCES: (From A Catalog of Washington Streams and Salmon Utilization, WDOF) Coho, Chum

GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY: Yelm Creek originates in rural residential and forested land south of the City of Yelm at an elevation of 380 feet. Wetlands in glacial till plains provide year round spring flow in the upper reaches. The lower reaches of the creek lie on permeable glacial outwash terraces between 350 to 300 feet elevation, flowing through rural

residential and urban areas of Yelm. The creek is fed by springs near the Centralia diversion canal, the largest being Crystal Spring and flows into the Nisqually River.

GENERAL WATER QUALITY: (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor) Mouth Site-Good – High nitrate and total phosphorus levels. 103rd Site-Fair – Failed Part 2 of the Fecal Coliform Standard in 2012/13. High nitrate and total phosphorus levels, as well as dissolved oxygen violations.

OTHER DATA: Thurston County Environmental Health Division, (360) 867-2626 or www.co.thurston.wa.us/health/ehswat/swater.html


245

http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/monitoring

Yelm Creek # 0043

Yelm Creek @ end of Mud Run Rd (Mouth)

The Yelm Creek mouth station met both Part 1 & 2 of the above-referenced fecal coliform standard for Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14.

The water quality standard for pH requires the pH to be within the range of 6.5 to 8.5. The pH standard has been consistently met since 2008 at the Yelm Creek Mouth Station.

The state water quality standard for fecal coliform has two parts: Part 1 - the geometric mean shall not exceed 50 colonies/100mL, and Part 2 - no more than 10% of the samples shall exceed 100 colonies/100 milligrams per liter (mL).

The water quality standard for dissolved oxygen is a lowest one-day minimum of 9.5 mg/L. There are no violations for the 2011-12, 2012-13, & 2013-14 Water Years at the Yelm Creek Mouth Station.

246

Yelm Creek @ 103rd & Creek St

The Yelm Creek at 103rd & Creek St. stations met Part 1 of the fecal coliform standard for water years 2011/12 & 2012/13. This station passed Part Two in 2011/12, but failed in 2012/13, with 25% of samples exceeding 100 colonies/100mL.

The water quality standard for pH requires the pH to be within the range of 6.5 to 8.5. The pH standard has been consistently met since 2008 at the Yelm Creek @103rd station.

Yelm Creek # 0043

The state water quality standard for fecal coliform has two parts: Part 1 - the geometric mean shall not exceed 50 colonies/100mL and Part 2 - no more than 10% of the samples shall exceed 100 colonies/100 mL.

The Yelm Creek station at 103rd and Creek St. was in violation for dissolved oxygen for four of the six samples collected in Water Year 2011/12, and four of the seven samples collected in 2012/13.

247

Yelm Creek # 0043

Discussion:

Water quality monitoring was conducted at two sites on Yelm Creek. The upstream site is on a prairie within the City of Yelm at the intersection of 103rd and Creek Streets (103rd). The creek has a low gradient, and often stagnant or dry during the summer and early-fall. The downstream site is at the confluence with the Nisqually River (Mouth). The source of water at the Mouth Site is primarily groundwater discharged through springs. Monitoring began at the 103rd site in October 2007 and was discontinued during the 2013/14 water year. Monitoring began at the Mouth site in July 2008 and has continued.

The water quality data for each site is summarized and compared against the state water quality standards in the tables on the following pages. The state water quality standard for fecal coliform has two parts: Part 1 - the geometric mean shall not exceed 50 colonies/100mL, and Part 2 - no more than 10% of the samples shall exceed 100 colonies/100 mL. The water quality at the Yelm Creek Mouth Site met both parts of the Fecal Coliform Standards for Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14. However, the water quality at the 103rd Street Site met only Part 1 of the fecal coliform bacteria standard in 2011/12 & 2012/13, but failed Part 2 in 2012/13, with 25% of the samples exceeding 100 colonies/mL.

The temperature and dissolved oxygen standards that apply to Yelm Creek are intended to protect core summer salmonid habitat. The temperature standard is a 7-day average daily (DAD) maximum of 16º C, and the dissolved oxygen standard is a lowest one-day minimum of 9.5 mg/L. The temperature data collected through the ambient monitoring program are instantaneous measurements. Because these are not continuous temperature recordings from which the 7-day average daily maximum can be calculated, the instantaneous data can only be used as an indicator of possible temperature violations.

At the Yelm Creek Mouth Site, the temperature and dissolved oxygen met the water quality standards for water years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14.

At the Yelm Creek 103rd Street Site, temperature data exhibited one measurement above the maximum temperature criteria of 16 º C for the 2011/12 water year; however, Thurston County Health did not observe any temperature violations at this station during the 2012/13 Water Year.

Also at the Yelm Creek 103rd Street Site, four out of the six dissolved oxygen measurements fell below the minimum criteria of 9.5 mg/L in during the 2011/12 water year (February, April, May, & June). In addition, four of the seven dissolved oxygen measurements were determined to be in violation of the aforementioned dissolved oxygen criteria during the 2012/13 water year (October, November, December, & January).

While there are no water quality standards for nitrate and total phosphorus in surface water, a US EPA study determined that the reference conditions in streams and rivers of the Puget Sound Lowland ecoregion for nitrate+nitrite is 0.26 mg/L and for total phosphorus is 0.019 mg/L (EPA Publication 822-B-00-015).

The average total phosphorus concentrations for Yelm Creek Mouth are 0.025, 0.022, & 0.022 mg/L for 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14 respectively, which are all above the aforementioned regional reference condition. The average total phosphorus concentrations at the Yelm Creek 103rd Street Site

248

Yelm Creek # 0043

are 0.099 and 0.083 mg/L for the 2011/12 & 2012/13 water years, respectively, which is also above the above-referenced regional reference condition of 0.019 mg/L.

The Yelm Creek Mouth Site exhibited average nitrate+nitrite concentrations of 1.805, 1.919, & 1.903 mg/L, in Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14, which well exceeds the regional reference condition of 0.26 mg/L. The high nitrate condition is likely a reflection of the groundwater quality in the area. The mean nitrate+nitrite concentrations at the Yelm Creek 103rd Street Site are 0.045 & 0.049 mg/L for water years 2011-12 & 2012-13, respectively. The average nitrate+nitrite concentrations are well below the above-referenced reference condition of 0.26 mg/L.

Major Issues:

Groundwater contamination is likely contributing to high nitrate+nitrite concentrations at theYelm Creek Mouth site.

Habitat and flow conditions are poor in the creek in the upper and mid-reaches of Yelm Creek. Dissolved oxygen concentrations were below the regulatory standard for core salmonid habitat at

the Yelm Creek 103rd Street Site. The Yelm Creek Mouth Site failed Part 2 of the fecal coliform criteria in 2012/13, with 25% of

samples exceeding 100 colonies/100mL. The mean total phosphorus concentrations for all water years at both stations analyzed, are above

the regional reference condition of 0.019 mg/L. The mean nitrate+nitrite concentrations at the Mud Run Road Site exceeded the regional

reference condition during Water Years 2011/12, 2012/13, & 2013/14.

Funding Sources:

County Storm and Surface Water Utility

249


Yelm Creek @ end of Mud Run Rd (Mouth)


WAC 173-201A

Water Year Data: 2011/12, 2012/13 & 2013/14




Mean Range

Temperature º C Highest 7-DAD Max of 16.0 º C

11/12 12/13 13/14

7.35 - 11.33 6.84 - 12.11 5.78 - 12.25

4.92 - 13.09


11/12 12/13 13/14

10.77 - 12.37 10.19 - 12.23 10.28 - 13.03

0 of 11 0 of 12 0 of 12

9.99 - 12.66


118 122 126

87 -130 69 -134 96 -135

127 57 – 143

pH 6.5 - 8.5 11/12 12/13 13/14

7.4* 7.4* 7*

7.2 -7.6 6.9 -7.5 6.8 -7.4

0 of 11 0 of 12 0 of 12

7.5* 7.2 - 7.7


11/12 12/13 13/14

0.35 0.78 0.99

0 - 1.2 0 - 3.8 0 - 2.5

0 of 11 0 of 12 0 of 12

0.85 0 – 3



11/12 12/13 13/14

11** 12** 11**

5 - 128 5 - 70 5 - 56

% exceeding 100

16** 5 – 350 9% 0% 0%


0.025 0.022 0.022

0.016 - 0.063 0.016 - 0.045 0.013 - 0.033

0.023 0.016 - 0.058


11/12 12/13 13/14

1.805 1.919 1.903

1.29 - 2.18 1.69 - 2.15 1.57 - 2.19

2.243 1.49 - 3.01

* Median ; ** Geometric mean value (GMV)

250


Yelm Creek @ 103rd & Creek St.


WAC 173-201A

Water Year Data: 2011/12 & 2012/13




Mean Range

Temperature º C Highest 7-DAD Max of 17.5 º C ***

11/12 12/13

3.16 - 16.3 0 - 12.72

0.27 - 20.43

Dissolved Oxygen mg/L Lowest one-day minimum of 9.5

11/12 12/13

5.23 - 12.73 6.33 - 11.47

4 of 6 4 of 7

6.34 - 15.17

Conductivity μmhos/cm 11/12 12/13

108 139

76 - 134 104 - 214

127 75 – 203

pH 6.5 - 8.5 11/12 12/13

7* 7*

6.8 - 7.2 6.9 - 7.1

0 of 6 0 of 7

7.2* 6.8 - 7.9


11/12 12/13

1.25 1

0.3 - 4.8 0.6 - 1.9

0 of 6 0 of 7

1.71 0 - 7.2



11/12 12/13

12** 26**

5 - 30 5 - 538

% exceeding 100

34** 5 – 680 0% 25%

Total Phosphorus mg/L 11/12 12/13

0.099 0.083

0.059 - 0.129 0.058 - 0.163

0.095 0.044 - 0.362

Nitrate + Nitrite-nitrogen mg/L 11/12

12/13 0.045 0.049

0.005 - 0.246 0.005 - 0.151

0.106 0.005 - 0.601


251

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 1 - 201 2 Yelm Creek @ end of Mud Run Rd


10/17/2011 11:30:00 8.99 7.5 11.44 127 0 0.2 4.33 0.020 1.800 FC reported as <5. Q (discharge) uncertainty 4.5%.

11/15/2011 10:45:00 7.64 7.2 11.27 108 0 0.0 3.37 0.016 1.860 FC reported as <5. Staff gage 1.60'. Q (discharge) uncertainty 4.5%. Turbidity read minus 0.6.

12/19/2011 11:00:00 8.19 7.2 11.65 129 2.5 0.1 3.93 0.024 2.000 Q (discharge) uncertainty 2.7%. Duplicates labeled "Spring". Staff gage 1.56'. Two salmon in creek.

01/23/2012 13:30:00 7.35 7.2 11.48 123 60 0.0 7.77 0.063 1.990 Staff gage 2.60. Q (discharge) uncertainty 3%.

02/13/2012 11:00:00 9.31 7.4 11.65 87 5 0.1 11.28 0.025 2.180 Staff gage - 1.84'. Q (discharge) uncertainty 3.8%.




06/12/2012 11:05:00 10.84 7.6 11.03 125 0 0.7 14.58 0.019 1.850 Flow hand calculated due to error in depth entry. FC reported as <5.


08/13/2012 11:30:00 11.69 7.4 10.48 134 0.6 5.84 0.022 0.515 Holding time exceeded for FC. Q (discharge) uncertainty 3.0%.

09/10/2012 10:50:00 10.90 7.4 10.77 118 12 0.1 5.74 0.020 1.650 Q (discharge) uncertainty 8.1%. Duplicates labeled "Bridge".

252

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 2- 201 3 Yelm Creek @ end of Mud Run Rd


10/15/2012 11:00:00 10.67 7.4 11.15 127 70 0.0 3.70 0.024 1.870 Staff gage - 1.58'. FC results estimated .

11/05/2012 10:15:00 11.08 7.4 11.38 127 10 0.7 2.68 0.019 1.690 FC results estimated:


01/14/2013 10:40:00 6.84 7.4 12.22 124 0 0.9 11.07 0.023 2.150 FC reported as <5. Q uncertainty 3.2%. Staff gage - 1.82'.

02/11/2013 10:50:00 8.84 7.5 12.23 127 0 0.4 11.19 0.022 2.120 Q uncertainty 4.0%. Staff gage - 1.82'. FC reported as <5.

03/11/2013 10:25:00 9.28 7.4 11.10 69 0 0.7 10.66 0.019 2.050 Q uncertainty 4.2%. FC reported as <5. Staff gage - 1.82'.






09/10/2013 10:45:00 11.32 6.9 10.19 134 20 0.0 4.09 0.018 2.010 Q (discharge) uncertainty 3.5%. Salmon were in.

253

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 3- 201 4 Yelm Creek @ end of Mud Run Rd



11/18/2013 10:45:00 10.29 7.2 11.24 128 0 1.6 7.26 0.023 1.840 Q uncertainty 4.2%. Staff gage 2.16'. FC reported as <5.

12/09/2013 11:00:00 5.78 7.4 13.03 133 30 2.0 7.73 0.027 2.100 Q uncertainty 2.8%. Staff gage - 2.11'.

01/13/2014 10:30:00 9.54 7.2 12.02 134 0 1.8 0.033 2.190 No flow measurement: fish in cross-section.

02/10/2014 10:45:00 7.83 7.0 12.26 135 5 2.5 10.11 0.025 2.130 Q (discharge) uncertainty 4%. Staff gage - 2.04'.



05/12/2014 10:40:00 10.58 7.0 11.63 125 15 0.4 23.30 0.019 1.910 Q (discharge) uncertainty 4.5%; Staff gage - 2.10'.





254

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 1 - 201 2 Yelm Creek @ 103rd and Creek St.


10/17/2011 12:20:00 Dry.

11/15/2011 11:50:00 Stagnant.

12/19/2011 11:50:00 Stagnant.

01/23/2012 14:15:00 3.16 6.8 12.73 76 15 4.8 5.22 0.105 0.246 Staff gage 1.54'. Q (discharge) uncertainty 11.8%.

02/13/2012 11:50:00 6.24 6.9 7.99 116 15 0.6 0.07 0.082 < 0.005 Staff gage - 0.88'. (stagnant at bridge). Q uncertainty 1.0%. Nox reported as < 0.010.

03/20/2012 12:00:00 6.09 7.2 11.62 104 5 1.0 9.38 0.059 < 0.005 Q uncertainty 11.7%. Staff gage - 1.68. Nox reported as < 0.010.

04/16/2012 11:15:00 12.46 7.0 8.07 124 0 0.3 2.17 0.103 < 0.005 Q uncertainty 12.9%. Staff gage - 1.28. Nox reported as < 0.010

05/15/2012 12:10:00 16.30 7.0 6.77 93 30 0.4 0.41 0.129 < 0.005 Q uncertainty 10.2%. Staff gage - 0.95. NOx reported as < 0.010

06/12/2012 11:50:00 15.30 7.0 5.23 134 20 0.4 0.118 < 0.005 No flow: Flow over weir 0.08, too shallow

08/13/2012 12:40:00 Stagnant.

09/10/2012 11:50:00 Stagnant.

255

Thurston County Water Resources Monitoring Report 201 2- 201 3 Yelm Creek @ 103rd and Creek St.


10/15/2012 11:30:00 12.11 7.0 7.14 214 470 0.8 0.02 0.088 < 0.005 Nox reported as < 0.010.

11/05/2012 11:00:00 12.72 6.9 6.33 180 5 1.9 0.163 0.050 Flow to low to measure.

12/11/2012 11:45:00 5.01 6.9 8.52 104 0 1.0 0.099 < 0.005 No flows:

01/14/2013 11:20:00 0.00 6.9 6.43 118 5 0.8 0.064 0.151 Temperature read -0.03.

02/11/2013 11:30:00 4.62 7.0 11.47 123 0 0.6 0.061 0.103 Too low for flows. FC reported as <5.



05/13/2013 11:40:00 Trickle only. No samples.

06/11/2013 11:50:00 538 0.062 0.015 Low flow, samples only. Staff gage - 0.82.

07/15/2013 11:30:00 Stagnant.

08/12/2013 12:10:00 Stagnant.

09/10/2013 11:15:00 Stagnant.

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beaver creek #667 · 11/15/2011 09:10:00 6.38 7.0 11.87 124 100 5.3 9.48 0.066 0.655 staff gage...

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