Skagit Stream Team Monitoring Program
The Skagit Stream Team Program was established in 1998 to inspire community stewardship of water resources through education and volunteer science. Data from this program are for informational and educational purposes only.
Explore Data
What are the water quality conditions in our priority watersheds, and how are they changing?
Ace of Hearts
Ace of Hearts & Happy Valley Creeks (AH)
Fecal Coliform Summary
To meet prior WA state standards for fecal coliform, fresh waters must pass two criteria:
- The geometric mean of fecal coliform levels must not exceed 100
CFU/100mL.
- Not more than 10% of samples may exceed 200 CFU/100mL.
On October 1 2025, lab methods changed to Idexx Quanti Tray Method and FC units are now in MPN/100mL
3-Year Summary:
| Site Code | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH1 | |||
| AH1A | Pass Both | Pass Both | Pass Both |
| AH2 | Pass Both | Pass Both | Pass Both |
| AH3 | Pass One | Pass Both | Pass Both |
| AH4 | Pass One | Pass One | Pass Both |
* 2025-2026 water year includes data from 9/1/2025 to 3/2/2026
Monitoring Data by Site
Select a site below to view graphs of monitoring data over time. Pink dashed lines are the state standard. For more information on WA state standards: See WAC-173-201A-200.
On October 1 2025, lab methods changed to Idexx Quanti Tray Method and FC units are now in MPN/100mL
Select a site:
AH1A
AH1
AH2
AH3
AH4
Gages
Gages Slough (GS)
Fecal Coliform Summary
To meet prior WA state standards for fecal coliform, fresh waters must pass two criteria:
- The geometric mean of fecal coliform levels must not exceed 100
CFU/100mL.
- Not more than 10% of samples may exceed 200 CFU/100mL.
3-Year Summary:
| Site Code | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS1 | Fail Both | Pass One | Fail Both |
| GS2 | Pass One | Pass One | Pass Both |
| GS3 | |||
| GS3A | Pass One | Pass One | Pass Both |
| GS4 | |||
| GS4A | Pass One | Pass One | Pass Both |
| GS5 | |||
| GS6 |
* 2025-2026 water year includes data from 9/1/2025 to 3/2/2026
Monitoring Data by Site
Select a site below to view graphs of monitoring data over time. Pink dashed lines are the state standard. For more information on WA state standards: See WAC-173-201A-200.
Select a site:
GS1
GS2
GS3
GS3A
GS4A
Kulshan
Kulshan Creek (KC)
Fecal Coliform Summary
To meet prior WA state standards for fecal coliform, fresh waters must pass two criteria:
- The geometric mean of fecal coliform levels must not exceed 100
CFU/100mL.
- Not more than 10% of samples may exceed 200 CFU/100mL.
3-Year Summary:
| Site Code | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KC1 | Pass One | Pass One | Pass One |
| KC2 | Fail Both | Fail Both | Pass One |
| KC3 | Pass One | Pass One | Pass One |
| KC4 | Pass One | Fail Both | |
| KC4A | Pass One | ||
| KC5 | Pass One | Pass One | Fail Both |
* 2025-2026 water year includes data from 9/1/2025 to 3/2/2026
Monitoring Data by Site
Select a site below to view graphs of monitoring data over time. Pink dashed lines are the state standard. For more information on WA state standards: See WAC-173-201A-200.
Select a site:
KC1
KC2
KC3
KC4
KC4A
KC5
Trumpeter
Trumpeter Creek Basin (TB)
Fecal Coliform Summary
To meet prior WA state standards for fecal coliform, fresh waters must pass two criteria:
- The geometric mean of fecal coliform levels must not exceed 100
CFU/100mL.
- Not more than 10% of samples may exceed 200 CFU/100mL.
3-Year Summary:
| Site Code | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TB1 | Pass One | Fail Both | Pass One |
| TB2 | Fail Both | Fail Both | Pass One |
| TB3 | |||
| TB3A | Fail Both | Pass One | Pass One |
| TB4 | Pass One | Pass One | Pass One |
| TB5 | Fail Both | Pass One | Pass One |
* 2025-2026 water year includes data from 9/1/2025 to 3/2/2026
Monitoring Data by Site
Select a site below to view graphs of monitoring data over time. Pink dashed lines are the state standard. For more information on WA state standards: See WAC-173-201A-200.
Select a site:
TB1
TB2
TB3
TB3A
TB4
TB5
Bayview
Bayview Drainage (BV)
Fecal Coliform Summary
To meet prior WA state standards for fecal coliform, fresh waters must pass two criteria:
- The geometric mean of fecal coliform levels must not exceed 100
CFU/100mL.
- Not more than 10% of samples may exceed 200 CFU/100mL.
3-Year Summary:
| Site Code | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BV1 | Pass One | Pass One | |
| BV2 | Pass One | Pass One | |
| BV3 | Pass Both | Pass One | |
| BV4 | Pass One | Pass One |
* 2025-2026 water year includes data from 9/1/2025 to 3/2/2026
Monitoring Data by Site
Select a site below to view graphs of monitoring data over time. Pink dashed lines are the state standard. For more information on WA state standards: See WAC-173-201A-200.
Select a site:
BV1
BV2
BV3
BV4
Joe Leary
Joe Leary Slough (JL)
Fecal Coliform Summary
To meet prior WA state standards for fecal coliform, fresh waters must pass two criteria:
- The geometric mean of fecal coliform levels must not exceed 100
CFU/100mL.
- Not more than 10% of samples may exceed 200 CFU/100mL.
3-Year Summary:
| Site Code | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| JL1 | Fail Both | Fail Both | Pass One |
| JL2 | Fail Both | Fail Both | Fail Both |
| JL3 | Pass Both | Fail Both | |
| JL3A | Fail Both | ||
| JL4 | Fail Both | Fail Both | Pass Both |
* 2025-2026 water year includes data from 9/1/2025 to 3/2/2026
Monitoring Data by Site
Select a site below to view graphs of monitoring data over time. Pink dashed lines are the state standard. For more information on WA state standards: See WAC-173-201A-200.
Select a site:
JL1
JL2
JL3
JL4
Maddox
Maddox Creek (MC)
Fecal Coliform Summary
To meet prior WA state standards for fecal coliform, fresh waters must pass two criteria:
- The geometric mean of fecal coliform levels must not exceed 100
CFU/100mL.
- Not more than 10% of samples may exceed 200 CFU/100mL.
3-Year Summary:
| Site Code | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MC1 | Fail Both | ||
| MC2 | Pass Both | ||
| MC3 | Fail Both | ||
| MC4 | Fail Both |
* 2025-2026 water year includes data from 9/1/2025 to 3/2/2026
Monitoring Data by Site
Select a site below to view graphs of monitoring data over time. Pink dashed lines are the state standard. For more information on WA state standards: See WAC-173-201A-200.
Select a site:
MC1
MC2
MC3
MC4
No Name
No Name Slough (NN)
Fecal Coliform Summary
To meet prior WA state standards for fecal coliform, fresh waters must pass two criteria:
- The geometric mean of fecal coliform levels must not exceed 100
CFU/100mL.
- Not more than 10% of samples may exceed 200 CFU/100mL.
3-Year Summary:
| Site Code | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NN1 | Fail Both | Pass One | Fail Both |
| NN2 | |||
| NN2A | Pass One | Pass One | |
| NN2B | Pass One | ||
| NN3 | Fail Both | Pass One | Pass One |
| NN4 | Fail Both | Pass One | |
| NN4A | Pass Both |
* 2025-2026 water year includes data from 9/1/2025 to 3/2/2026
Monitoring Data by Site
Select a site below to view graphs of monitoring data over time. Pink dashed lines are the state standard. For more information on WA state standards: See WAC-173-201A-200.
Select a site:
NN1
NN2
NN2A
NN3
NN4
Nookachamps
Nookachamps: Upper (UN) & Lower (LN)
Fecal Coliform Summary
To meet prior WA state standards for fecal coliform, fresh waters must pass two criteria:
- The geometric mean of fecal coliform levels must not exceed 100
CFU/100mL.
- Not more than 10% of samples may exceed 200 CFU/100mL.
3-Year Summary:
| Site Code | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LN1 | Fail Both | Fail Both | |
| LN2 | Pass One | Pass Both | |
| LN3 | Pass One | Pass One | Pass One |
| LN4 | Pass One | Pass Both | |
| NC1 | Pass Both | ||
| NC2 | Pass Both | ||
| UN1 | Pass One | Pass Both | |
| UN2 | Pass Both | Pass Both | |
| UN3 | Pass Both | Pass One | Pass One |
| UN4 | Pass One | Pass Both |
* 2025-2026 water year includes data from 9/1/2025 to 3/2/2026
Monitoring Data by Site
Select a site below to view graphs of monitoring data over time. Pink dashed lines are the state standard. For more information on WA state standards: See WAC-173-201A-200.
Select a site:
LN1
LN2
LN3
LN4
NC1
NC2
UN2
UN3
UN4
Samish
Samish: Upper (US) & Lower (LS)
Fecal Coliform Summary
To meet prior WA state standards for fecal coliform, fresh waters must pass two criteria:
- The geometric mean of fecal coliform levels must not exceed 100
CFU/100mL.
- Not more than 10% of samples may exceed 200 CFU/100mL.
3-Year Summary:
| Site Code | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LS1 | Pass One | Pass Both | Pass Both |
| LS2 | Fail Both | Pass One | Pass Both |
| LS3 | Fail Both | Pass Both | Pass Both |
| LS4 | Fail Both | Pass Both | |
| LS4A | Pass Both | ||
| US1 | Pass One | Pass Both | |
| US1A | Pass Both | ||
| US2 | Pass One | Pass One | |
| US2A | Pass Both | ||
| US3 | Fail Both | Fail Both | |
| US3A | Pass Both | ||
| US4 | Fail Both | Pass One | Pass One |
* 2025-2026 water year includes data from 9/1/2025 to 3/2/2026
Monitoring Data by Site
Select a site below to view graphs of monitoring data over time. Pink dashed lines are the state standard. For more information on WA state standards: See WAC-173-201A-200.
Select a site:
LS1
LS2
LS3
LS4
US1
US2
US3
US4
Methods
The Skagit Stream Team Program
The Skagit Stream Team Program is run by the Skagit Conservation District in partnership with Skagit County, the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, City of Mount Vernon, City of Burlington, and City of Anacortes. Funding was provided by the Washington State Conservation Commission, the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Centennial Clean Water Fund Program, and partnering jurisdictions. Over 60 local community members volunteer ~1,300 hours each year during the sampling seasons - THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!
Monitoring Methods
Sampling locations: Sampling sites were selected in freshwater streams in priority watersheds of Skagit County. Washington State and Skagit County Department of Health have documented high fecal coliform concentrations in these watersheds, which have failed to meet Surface Water Quality Standards for the State of Washington (WAC 173-201A). This motivated the initiation of ambient water quality monitoring for non-point source pollution parameters. In each watershed, sub-basins were selected. Four to five sampling sites were established in each sub-basin, distributed along the stream reaches and in consideration for accessibility and safety of volunteers. Sampling sites are located in the following sub-basins (abbreviated by a 2-letter code):
| Watershed Sub-basin | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Ace of Hearts & Happy Valley Stream | AH |
| Bayview Drainage | BV |
| Gages Slough | GS |
| Joe Leary Slough | JL |
| Kulshan Creek | KC |
| Maddox Creek | MC |
| No Name Slough | NN |
| Nookachamps: Upper & Lower | NC,UN,LN |
| Samish: Upper & Lower | US,LS |
| Trumpeter Creek Basin | TB |
Monitoring & Measurements: Monitoring is
conducted at each site approximately every two weeks from October
through June to capture the months of the year when precipitation is
typical. At each site, field measurements and water samples are taken
just below the surface, in the deepest part of the stream that can be
reached. Water quality measurements (water temperature, dissolved
oxygen, salinity) are measured using a handheld YSI meter. Water samples
are collected into sterilized botles to be analyzed for fecal coliform
and turbidity in the lab. Water samples are tested for fecal coliform at
either the Padilla Bay volunteer lab (Padilla, Samish, Nookachamps
samples), Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant (Gages Slough), Mount
Vernon Wastewater Treatment Plant (Trumpeter Creek, Kulshan Creek), or
the Anacortes Waste Water Treatment Plant (Ace of Hearts and Happy
Valley Creeks). Turbidity was measured either in the Padilla Bay
volunteer lab or in the field. Volunteers also recorded water appearance
and color.
Monitoring plans, protocols, data, and other documentation are available upon request.
How do the water quality conditions compare to Washington State Standards?
Fecal coliform bacteria live in the digestive system
of warm-blooded animals, including birds, livestock, and humans. They
are not directly harmful to humans or aquatic life, but their presence
indicates the possible presence of disease-causing microbes. To meet
prior WA state standards (WAC 173-201A-200) for fecal coliform, fresh
waters must meet two criteria:
* Criteria 1: The geometric mean of fecal coliform
bacteria levels must not exceed 100 CFU/100mL.
* Criteria 2: No more than 10% of all samples may
exceed 200 CFU/100mL.
Note: The use of fecal coliform organism levels as a state
standard expired on December 31, 2020. Currently, state standards are
based on E. coli organism levels. Monitoring of fecal coliform
by this program is conducted for continuity with >20 years of data
and as information to support further investigation by other
organizations.
Dissolved oxygen (DO) measurements determine how much oxygen is available in the water for aquatic life. The state water quality standards for dissolved oxygen are based on aquatic life uses. The Stream Team DO data cannot be used to determine whether a water body meets the standard due to sampling frequency. It also is worth noting that Stream Team monitoring does not occur during the warmer summer months when DO would likely drop with warmer air and water temperatures.
Temperature is a water quality concern in part because warm water holds less dissolved oxygen than cool water. Many northwest fish species require cool temperatures and high oxygen levels at various stages in their life cycle. Warm water temperatures can cause stress to animals that lowers resistance to disease and infections. Many factors affect water temperature. These include large fluctuations in air temperature, changes in the shape of stream channel and lake margins, reductions in overhanging vegetation, turbidity, and reductions in water flow. State standards for temperature are based on the 7-day average of the daily maximum temperatures (7-DADMax). Stream Team sites are not monitored during the critical summer warm periods, and none are monitored daily to obtain a 7-DADMax.
Turbidity is a measurement of water clarity. Turbidity data in this report are not referenced to a state standard because that standard is relative to naturally occurring background levels and varies for each stream. For streams with background levels less than 50 NTU (all Stream Team sites), turbidity should not exceed 5 NTU above the background level. Short-term occurrences of high turbidity are not as harmful to aquatic animals as extended periods of moderately elevated turbidity.
Although Stream Team monitoring data cannot be used to determine whether a water body meets standards for dissolved oxygen, water temperature, or turbidity, the state standard threshold values provide a frame of reference for comparison.
Volunteers
Thank you, Volunteers!
Each year, 60-70 local community members volunteer ~1,300 hours to make the Stream Team program possible. Volunteers conduct field sampling, process lab samples, enter data, and so much more! Big thanks to:
| 2024-2025 | 2023-2024 | 2022-2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Scott Adams | Scott Adams | Scott Adams |
| Terry Armstrong | Terry Armstrong | Terry Armstrong |
| Russ Barger | Barbara Baker | Barbara Baker |
| Mary Jean Brady | Darrel Baker | Darrel Baker |
| Mariana Brandt | Russ Barger | Russ Barger |
| Jim Brandt | Claudia Basso | Claudia Basso |
| Rich Brown | Barbara Bond-Howard | Mary Jean Brady |
| Carol Cann | Mary Jean Brady | Jim Brandt |
| Jenna Cassells | Jim Brandt | Mariana Brandt |
| Ann Childs | Mariana Brandt | Richard Brown |
| Les Conway | Carol Cann | Jenna Cassells |
| Elizabeth Drozda | Jenna Cassells | Ann Childs |
| Jenn Dumas | Ann Childs | Les Conway |
| Karen Ferguson | Les Conway | Elizabeth Drozda-Freeman |
| Nicole Fisher | Emily Crabill | Cissy Fisher |
| Anna Gibbons | Elizabeth Drozda | Nicole Fisher |
| Luanne Goodrich | Cindy Elston | Luanne Goodrich |
| Steve Goodrich | Karen Ferguson | Steven Goodrich |
| Briana Gulas | Nicole Fisher | Kerri Grechishkin |
| Dawn Harju | Annalee Foster | Sophia Grechishkin |
| Tony Harrah | Luanne Goodrich | Dawn Harju |
| Megan Heffernan | Steven Goodrich | Tony Harrah |
| Christie Houston | Kerri Grechishkin | Marrilee Harrell |
| Sean Howard | Sophia Grechishkin | Debbie Honan |
| Michael Jackson | Briana Gulas | Christie Houston |
| Bob Jones | John Griffin | Bob Jones |
| Jack Jones | Dawn Harju | Jack Jones |
| Lindsey Juen | Tony Harrah | Lindsey Juen |
| Paige Kirby | Bill Hetherington | Paige Kirby |
| Tasha Kirby | Ann Hetherington | Tasha Kirby |
| Ted Maloney | Christie Houston | Elaine Lease |
| Jona Matevish | Sean Howard | Ted Maloney |
| Dan McCroskey | Bob Jones | Jona Matevish |
| Alec McDougall | Jack Jones | Dan McCroskey |
| Ryan Milbrath | Lindsey Juen | Alec McDougall |
| Sarah Mintz | Paige Kirby | Sarah Mintz |
| Sue Mitchell | Tasha Kirby | Sue Mitchell |
| Marsha Morris | Laura Langer | Virginia Naef |
| China Moss | Brianna Mafrici | Karen Nelson |
| Karen Nelson | Ted Maloney | Janet Nevitt |
| Janet Nevitt | Jona Matevish | Frank Repplier |
| Frank Repplier | Dan McCroskey | Karen Richman |
| Karen Richman | Alec McDougall | Jim Roberts |
| Jim Roberts | Ryan Milbrath | Bill Robinson |
| Becky Rosencrans | Sarah Mintz | Bill Rogers |
| Tom Schmidt | Sue Mitchell | Judi Rogers |
| Sara Seward | Marsha Morris | Becky Rosencrans |
| Tristen Shaffer | Virginia Naef | Tom Schmidt |
| Mark Shinkle | Karen Nelson | Sara Seward |
| Anna Theobald | Janet Nevitt | Mark Shinkle |
| Steve Thornton | Frank Repplier | John Smith |
| Paul Vance | Karen Richman | Claire Swedberg |
| Holli Watne | Jim Roberts | Steve Thornton |
| Mike Watne | Becky Rosencrans | Paul Vance |
| Tom Schmidt | Holli Watne | |
| Sara Seward | Mike Watne | |
| Tristen Shaffer | Kyle Wirth | |
| Mark Shinkle | ||
| John Smith | ||
| Steve Thornton | ||
| Paul Vance | ||
| Holli Watne | ||
| Mike Watne |