Bell Creek Streamwalk Report

July 12, 2002

  • Team Leader: Karen Junell
  • Members: Nell Backus, Lou Maupin, Dave Stanford, Georgia Wright, and Marilyn Stanford, accompanying Dave.
  • Hours and Sites: 20 person-hours at 2 sites

Introduction

Since three of our team members are new, this Streamwalk was planned as an introduction to the diversity of Bell Creek and the complexity of the issues represented by the landscapes through which the stream flows. We began at Carrie Blake Park where the stream flows through several man-made ponds, is recharged from time to time by water from the City of Sequim Water Reclamation Project, and is part of a busy park setting complete with ducks, geese, and wild waterfowl. We examined the Bell Creek "book" and the maps, tracing the path of the stream and the former ShopRite grocery store parking lot and Site B was chosen because new members could see the restoration project down in 1999-2000 by the WA Department of Transportation.

Findings at Site A

Historical Information & Land Uses

After Bell Creek flows under the new Highway 101 bypass, it enters a large open, grassy area owned by the Burrowes family. As you can see from the attached news clipping, the Burrowes family would like to develop this area. In the past, the stream has been moved to accommodate farming and even an airstrip. The stream angles northeast across the fields until it runs exactly parallel to the ShopRite parking lot, finally turning a radical left turn into manmade ditches, culverts, and channels. From time to time, a lateral of the Highland Irrigation Canal also feeds water into the creek behind the Staples store. Frequently in August and September, the stream is dry in some areas. The owner of Les Schwab Tire Company has applied to move the stream again, away from his building, in order to enlarge his facility (see news clipping).

Canopy & Vegetation

After tracing the stream through the field, we selected one of the sites where alder trees grow near the banks. The fields are filled with a wide variety of grasses including significant patches of reed canary grass. Wild Himalayan blackberries are predominant. Oxeye daisies and Canadian hemlock were easily seen just upstream from the site on the right bank.

Bank Erosion

In this area, children have played in the stream; have rounded off the stream bank denuding it of vegetation on both sides of the stream for several feet. This is due primarily to the rope swing hung in an adjacent tree. Upstream and downstream of this play area, grasses grow right up to the water, light amount of watercress is seen.

Channel Habitat

There are a few riffles upstream from the site and a tiny pool (2x3) just downstream of the site. No fish or water habitants were seen but the water was fairly clear, streambed alternating mud with fine to small pebbles. The stream flow was good and the creek made a pleasant sound.

Red Flags

The stream is located on private property in this area but is not fenced. Children are obviously playing at site A and there were signs that they dam the stream and use wood to create additional play areas. Continuous crossing of the stream will continue to eliminate vegetation and cause silt build-up in the water. Noxious weeds are also intruding into this area.

Suggestions for Future Study / Projects

Since the Burrowes family and Les Schwab Tire Company are both interested in the development and will have to apply for permits to deal with Bell Creek in their development, and since the creek is being studied by the City of Sequim for their storm/flood water run-off plan, it would seem practical and in the best interest of all parties if the plans were developed to complement one another.

Findings at Site B

Historical Information & Land Uses

Site B is Monitoring Reach 0.8 on Bell Creek and is visited regularly. In the past, this portion of Bell Creek ran in a fairly straight line through Myron Spath's farm in this part of the valley lowland, eventually emptying into Washington Harbor and the Straits. In 1999-2000 the Department of Transportation bought the land and developed this section of the stream into several curving meanders, with pools, large woody debris, and natural plantings in the surrounding field and wetland. It is fenced off from the farm fields surrounding it and the herds of dairy cattle in those fields.

Canopy & Vegetation

This was a farm field and was planted by the WADOT. The shrubs, deciduous trees, and evergreens are struggling but surviving. They are regularly pruned by deer, elk, and sometimes loose dairy cattle. So far, reed canary grass has not intruded into the native field grass. There is no sheltering canopy and the sun can be intense so growth is slow. A large stand of poisonous hemlock borders the area. We were fortunate to be on-site during a DOT maintenance visit. Theresa Dukes from the Environmental Hydraulic Services Roadside and Site Development Office was there with a helper. They were checking plants and doing weed control. She explained their release of a moth that will destroy the poisonous hemlock and took us to the nearby stand to show how the moths have been "working." The affected plants look yellow and wilted. The WADOT has also seeded the area with a beetle that attacks the seed heads of the Canadian thistle. Ms. Dukes will email the information on this pest control to share with Streqamkeepers.

Bank Erosion

The streamside banks are anchored with grasses and have not eroded. The creek was fairly full and we could see that it had been higher at some recent time. Deer tracks continue to be seen in the mud on both sides of the banks.

Channel Habitat

Ms. Dukes said that she had seen fish in the stream earlier in the week but that an irrigation lateral had been releasing water into this area and the stream was cloudy. We saw "minnows" and a red salamander in the shallows of the ford. The most dramatic change in this reach is the growth of watercress everywhere. It is choking the stream. DOT has "wicked" the plants in the center of the stream with the agent, Rodeo, hoping to clear the central part of the channel. Ms. Dukes aid that the DOT is monitoring the growth of watercress and its potential threat.

Red Flags

The tremendous growth of watercress is the main red flag at this area.

Suggestions for Future Study / Projects

Monitoring of the watercress is very important since the channel is so choked as to eliminate fish passage. We must also watch for the intrusion of the poisonous hemlock from the huge growth on the west border of the area.