Kitsap County SSWM initiated a biological monitoring in 1998 to provide information on the health of Chico Creek, Big Beef Creek and Big Anderson Creek (at Holly). In the fall of 2000, Kitsap County Stream Team began county wide biological monitoring using volunteers to collect samples from 15 streams, eventually growing to a peak of 26 streams in 2004.

Bottom dwelling stream “bugs” or benthic macroinvertebrates are collected once a year from the same section of stream to show stream health trends and to provide baseline data for some of Kitsap County’s streams. Benthic macroinvertebrates are collected, placed into sample bottles, and sent to a lab for sorting and identification. The lab sends back a report including a score of the biotic integrity. Higher scores correspond to better stream “health”. A high scoring stream generally has a diverse group of benthic macroinvertebrates including many species that are sensitive to pollution.

The score of each stream sampled can be found below in four graphs by County area. Use the “Map of Stream Sites and Watersheds” for help locating a stream sample site and watershed.

• North Kitsap Streams Results
• Dyes and Sinclair Inlet Streams Results
• East Kitsap - Central and South Streams Results
• Hood Canal Streams Results
• Map of Stream Sites and Watersheds

For more information on how and why the data is important to collect visit the SalmonWeb

Stormwater Outfall Screening

Stormwater outfall screening started in 2000 for urbanized areas of unincorporated Kitsap County.   The County is a permitted municipality under the Washington State Department of Ecology's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II permit issued in January 2007.  The permit calls for determining stormwater outfall locations and outfall screening for illicit discharges during low rainfall months.

In all screening areas, data is collected for outfalls where there are pipes over six inches, ditches, swales, stream mouths, and/or large seeps. Outfall data includes a photograph, longitude-latitude, physical description and visual observations. If sufficient flow is present, a water sample is taken. Sample tests include bacteria, nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, ammonia), oil, detergent, glycol, turbidity, pH, conductivity and temperature. When the water quality tests show there may be a problem, an investigation is initiated. Some cases are referred to the Kitsap County Health District for further assessment.

   Map of Marine Stormwater Outfalls 2000-2007
  *Adobe PDF file* 

Kitsap County Public Works                                                                                      Updated: 10/19/2009
Surface & Stormwater Management Program
(360) 337-5777 or (800) 825-4940
Kitsap1@co.kitsap.wa.us