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 is for informational and educational purposes only.
What are the water quality conditions in our priority watersheds, and how are they changing?
Starting October 1 2025, laboratory analysis changed to using the Idexx Quanti Tray Method and fecal coliform levels are shown in units of Most Probable Number(MPN)/100mL
Samples from fresh waters must pass the following 2 criteria to meet prior Washington State Standards for fecal coliform bacteria:
3-Year Summary:
| SiteCode | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AH1A | Pass Both | Pass Both | Pass Both |
| AH2 | Pass Both | Pass Both | Pass Both |
| AH3 | Fail Crit 2 | Pass Both | Fail Crit 2 |
| AH4 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Both |
Fecal Colifrom Trends:
In the graphs below:
* Black bars show
geometric means by water year (± geometric standard error), relating to
Criteria 1.
* Blue line
represents the percent of samples that exceeded 200 CFU/100mL, relating
to Criteria 2.
* Dashed red line
represents the state’s target criteria listed above for both geometric
mean (Criteria 1) and percent exceedance (Criteria 2). Data must be
below this red line to pass the criteria.
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:
Samples from fresh waters must pass the following 2 criteria to meet prior Washington State Standards for fecal coliform bacteria:
3-Year Summary:
| SiteCode | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| KC1 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
| KC2 | Fail Both | Fail Both | Fail Crit 2 |
| KC3 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
| KC4 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | |
| KC4A | Fail Crit 2 | ||
| KC5 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
Fecal Colifrom Trends:
In the graphs below:
* Black bars show
geometric means by water year (± geometric standard error), relating to
Criteria 1.
* Blue line
represents the percent of samples that exceeded 200 CFU/100mL, relating
to Criteria 2.
* Dashed red line
represents the state’s target criteria listed above for both geometric
mean (Criteria 1) and percent exceedance (Criteria 2). Data must be
below this red line to pass the criteria.
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:
Samples from fresh waters must pass the following 2 criteria to meet prior Washington State Standards for fecal coliform bacteria:
3-Year Summary:
| SiteCode | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TB1 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Both | Fail Crit 2 |
| TB2 | Fail Both | Fail Both | Fail Crit 2 |
| TB3A | Fail Both | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
| TB4 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
| TB5 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | Pass Both |
Fecal Colifrom Trends:
In the graphs below:
* Black bars show
geometric means by water year (± geometric standard error), relating to
Criteria 1.
* Blue line
represents the percent of samples that exceeded 200 CFU/100mL, relating
to Criteria 2.
* Dashed red line
represents the state’s target criteria listed above for both geometric
mean (Criteria 1) and percent exceedance (Criteria 2). Data must be
below this red line to pass the criteria.
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:
Samples from fresh waters must pass the following 2 criteria to meet prior Washington State Standards for fecal coliform bacteria:
3-Year Summary:
| SiteCode | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS1 | Fail Both | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Both |
| GS2 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
| GS3A | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
| GS4A | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | Pass Both |
Fecal Colifrom Trends:
In the graphs below:
* Black bars show
geometric means by water year (± geometric standard error), relating to
Criteria 1.
* Blue line
represents the percent of samples that exceeded 200 CFU/100mL, relating
to Criteria 2.
* Dashed red line
represents the state’s target criteria listed above for both geometric
mean (Criteria 1) and percent exceedance (Criteria 2). Data must be
below this red line to pass the criteria.
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:
Samples from fresh waters must pass the following 2 criteria to meet prior Washington State Standards for fecal coliform bacteria:
3-Year Summary:
| SiteCode | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MC1 | Fail Both | ||
| MC2 | Fail Crit 2 | ||
| MC3 | Fail Both | ||
| MC4 | Fail Both |
Fecal Colifrom Trends:
In the graphs below:
* Black bars show
geometric means by water year (± geometric standard error), relating to
Criteria 1.
* Blue line
represents the percent of samples that exceeded 200 CFU/100mL, relating
to Criteria 2.
* Dashed red line
represents the state’s target criteria listed above for both geometric
mean (Criteria 1) and percent exceedance (Criteria 2). Data must be
below this red line to pass the criteria.
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:
Samples from fresh waters must pass the following 2 criteria to meet prior Washington State Standards for fecal coliform bacteria:
3-Year Summary:
| SiteCode | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LN1 | Fail Both | Fail Both | |
| LN2 | Fail Crit 2 | Pass Both | |
| LN3 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
| LN4 | Fail Crit 2 | Pass Both | |
| NC1 | Fail Crit 2 | ||
| NC2 | Fail Crit 2 | ||
| UN1 | Fail Crit 2 | Pass Both | |
| UN2 | Pass Both | Pass Both | |
| UN3 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
| UN4 | Fail Crit 2 | Pass Both |
Fecal Colifrom Trends:
In the graphs below:
* Black bars show
geometric means by water year (± geometric standard error), relating to
Criteria 1.
* Blue line
represents the percent of samples that exceeded 200 CFU/100mL, relating
to Criteria 2.
* Dashed red line
represents the state’s target criteria listed above for both geometric
mean (Criteria 1) and percent exceedance (Criteria 2). Data must be
below this red line to pass the criteria.
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:
Samples from fresh waters must pass the following 2 criteria to meet prior Washington State Standards for fecal coliform bacteria:
3-Year Summary:
| SiteCode | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LS1 | Fail Crit 2 | Pass Both | Fail Crit 2 |
| LS2 | Fail Both | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
| LS3 | Fail Both | Pass Both | Fail Crit 2 |
| LS4 | Fail Crit 2 | Pass Both | |
| LS4A | Fail Crit 2 | ||
| US1 | Fail Crit 2 | Pass Both | |
| US1A | Pass Both | ||
| US2 | Pass Both | Fail Crit 2 | |
| US2A | Pass Both | ||
| US3 | Fail Both | Fail Both | |
| US3A | Pass Both | ||
| US4 | Fail Both | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
Fecal Colifrom Trends:
In the graphs below:
* Black bars show
geometric means by water year (± geometric standard error), relating to
Criteria 1.
* Blue line
represents the percent of samples that exceeded 200 CFU/100mL, relating
to Criteria 2.
* Dashed red line
represents the state’s target criteria listed above for both geometric
mean (Criteria 1) and percent exceedance (Criteria 2). Data must be
below this red line to pass the criteria.
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:
Samples from fresh waters must pass the following 2 criteria to meet prior Washington State Standards for fecal coliform bacteria:
3-Year Summary:
| SiteCode | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| JL1 | Fail Both | Fail Both | Fail Crit 2 |
| JL2 | Fail Both | Fail Both | Fail Both |
| JL3 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Both | |
| JL3A | Fail Both | ||
| JL4 | Fail Both | Fail Both | Pass Both |
Fecal Colifrom Trends:
In the graphs below:
* Black bars show
geometric means by water year (± geometric standard error), relating to
Criteria 1.
* Blue line
represents the percent of samples that exceeded 200 CFU/100mL, relating
to Criteria 2.
* Dashed red line
represents the state’s target criteria listed above for both geometric
mean (Criteria 1) and percent exceedance (Criteria 2). Data must be
below this red line to pass the criteria.
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:
Samples from fresh waters must pass the following 2 criteria to meet prior Washington State Standards for fecal coliform bacteria:
3-Year Summary:
| SiteCode | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NN1 | Fail Both | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Both |
| NN2A | Fail Both | Fail Crit 2 | |
| NN2B | Fail Crit 2 | ||
| NN3 | Fail Both | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
| NN4 | Fail Both | Fail Crit 2 | |
| NN4A | Pass Both |
Fecal Colifrom Trends:
In the graphs below:
* Black bars show
geometric means by water year (± geometric standard error), relating to
Criteria 1.
* Blue line
represents the percent of samples that exceeded 200 CFU/100mL, relating
to Criteria 2.
* Dashed red line
represents the state’s target criteria listed above for both geometric
mean (Criteria 1) and percent exceedance (Criteria 2). Data must be
below this red line to pass the criteria.
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:
Samples from fresh waters must pass the following 2 criteria to meet prior Washington State Standards for fecal coliform bacteria:
3-Year Summary:
| SiteCode | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BV1 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | |
| BV2 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 | |
| BV3 | Pass Both | Fail Crit 2 | |
| BV4 | Fail Crit 2 | Fail Crit 2 |
Fecal Colifrom Trends:
In the graphs below:
* Black bars show
geometric means by water year (± geometric standard error), relating to
Criteria 1.
* Blue line
represents the percent of samples that exceeded 200 CFU/100mL, relating
to Criteria 2.
* Dashed red line
represents the state’s target criteria listed above for both geometric
mean (Criteria 1) and percent exceedance (Criteria 2). Data must be
below this red line to pass the criteria.
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:
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!
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 |
| Gages Slough | GS |
| Kulshan Creek | KC |
| Trumpeter Basin | TB |
| Maddox Creek | MC |
| Nookachamps: Upper & Lower | UN, NC, & LN |
| Samish: Upper & Lower | US & LS |
| Joe Leary Slough | JL |
| No Name Slough | NN |
| Bayview Drainage | BV |
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.
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.
Each year, 50-70 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:
| 2025-2026 | 2024-2025 | 2023-2024 | 2022-2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Adams | Scott Adams | Scott Adams | Scott Adams |
| Chris Apple | Terry Armstrong | Terry Armstrong | Terry Armstrong |
| Russ Barger | Russ Barger | Barbara Baker | Barbara Baker |
| Cameron Berg | Mary Jean Brady | Darrel Baker | Darrel Baker |
| Mary Jean Brady | Mariana Brandt | Russ Barger | Russ Barger |
| Mariana Brandt | Jim Brandt | Claudia Basso | Claudia Basso |
| Jim Brandt | Rich Brown | Barbara Bond-Howard | Mary Jean Brady |
| Sheena Browning | Carol Cann | Mary Jean Brady | Jim Brandt |
| Cam Burgoyne | Jenna Cassells | Jim Brandt | Mariana Brandt |
| Carol Cann | Ann Childs | Mariana Brandt | Richard Brown |
| Jenna Cassells | Les Conway | Carol Cann | Jenna Cassells |
| Ann Childs | Elizabeth Drozda | Jenna Cassells | Ann Childs |
| Les Conway | Jenn Dumas | Ann Childs | Les Conway |
| Andrew Core | Karen Ferguson | Les Conway | Elizabeth Drozda-Freeman |
| Chris Davis | Nicole Fisher | Emily Crabill | Cissy Fisher |
| Elizabeth Drozda | Anna Gibbons | Elizabeth Drozda | Nicole Fisher |
| Jennifer Dumas | Luanne Goodrich | Cindy Elston | Luanne Goodrich |
| Karen Ferguson | Steve Goodrich | Karen Ferguson | Steven Goodrich |
| Anna Gibbons | Briana Gulas | Nicole Fisher | Kerri Grechishkin |
| Joff Ginn | Dawn Harju | Annalee Foster | Sophia Grechishkin |
| Luanne Goodrich | Tony Harrah | Luanne Goodrich | Dawn Harju |
| Steven Goodrich | Megan Heffernan | Steven Goodrich | Tony Harrah |
| Megan Heffernan | Christie Houston | Kerri Grechishkin | Marrilee Harrell |
| Vicky Hertig | Sean Howard | Sophia Grechishkin | Debbie Honan |
| Sean Howard | Michael Jackson | Briana Gulas | Christie Houston |
| Michael Jackson | Bob Jones | John Griffin | Bob Jones |
| Jack Jones | Jack Jones | Dawn Harju | Jack Jones |
| Bob Jones | Lindsey Juen | Tony Harrah | Lindsey Juen |
| Lindsey Juen | Paige Kirby | Bill Hetherington | Paige Kirby |
| Julia Kaminski | Tasha Kirby | Ann Hetherington | Tasha Kirby |
| Nash Kirby | Ted Maloney | Christie Houston | Elaine Lease |
| Tasha Kirby | Jona Matevish | Sean Howard | Ted Maloney |
| Ezra Kucur | Dan McCroskey | Bob Jones | Jona Matevish |
| Samantha Lopez | Alec McDougall | Jack Jones | Dan McCroskey |
| Ted Maloney | Ryan Milbrath | Lindsey Juen | Alec McDougall |
| Jona Matevish | Sarah Mintz | Paige Kirby | Sarah Mintz |
| Dan McCroskey | Sue Mitchell | Tasha Kirby | Sue Mitchell |
| Alec McDougall | Marsha Morris | Laura Langer | Virginia Naef |
| Sarah Mintz | China Moss | Brianna Mafrici | Karen Nelson |
| Marsha Morris | Karen Nelson | Ted Maloney | Janet Nevitt |
| Karen Nelson | Janet Nevitt | Jona Matevish | Frank Repplier |
| Janet Nevitt | Frank Repplier | Dan McCroskey | Karen Richman |
| Frank Repplier | Karen Richman | Alec McDougall | Jim Roberts |
| Karen Richman | Jim Roberts | Ryan Milbrath | Bill Robinson |
| Jim Roberts | Becky Rosencrans | Sarah Mintz | Bill Rogers |
| Monica Schmidt | Tom Schmidt | Sue Mitchell | Judi Rogers |
| Tom Schmidt | Sara Seward | Marsha Morris | Becky Rosencrans |
| Tristen Shaffer | Tristen Shaffer | Virginia Naef | Tom Schmidt |
| Steve Thornton | Mark Shinkle | Karen Nelson | Sara Seward |
| Tom Ulrich | Anna Theobald | Janet Nevitt | Mark Shinkle |
| Paul Vance | Steve Thornton | Frank Repplier | John Smith |
| Holli Watne | Paul Vance | Karen Richman | Claire Swedberg |
| Mike Watne | 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 |
Have additional questions about the data you want to explore? Download the raw data collected by the Stream Team volunteers using the button below. Please note that the dataset is in the process of being validated. If the QAQC column does not have a ‘prov,’ and the ValidatedBy column does not have initials in it, the data has NOT been fully validated. Column header information is below:
Column SiteCode
Date
Time
DOmgl
DOsat
Salinity WaterTemp Turbidity fc1count fc1vol fc2count fc2vol
FecalColiform Notes ValidatedBy QAQC
FLAG_FC FLAG_YSI
Â
Description
Site code abbreviation
Date sample was taken, in mm/dd/yyyy format
Time sample was taken, in 24 hour format
Dissolved oxygen concentration (mg/L)
Dissolved oxygen (% saturation)
Salinity (parts per thousand)
Water temperature (degrees Celsius)
Turbidity (NTU)
Number of colonies on plate 1
Volume of sample filtered on plate 1
Number of colonies on plate 2
Volume of samples filtered on plate 2
Calculated fecal coliform concentration based on 2 plates
(CFU/100mL)
Field, laboratory, or counting notes for the sample
Initials of the person who validated the data
Stage in validation process (‘prov’ has been fully validated; ‘unva’,
‘unv1’, or ‘hist’ are unvalidated)
Indicates if fecal coliform data needs to be rejected (‘reject’), or is
questionable (‘suspect’)
Indicates if YSI data needs to be rejected (‘reject’), or is
questionable (‘suspect’)
Note: This data from the Skagit Stream Team Program is for informational and educational purposes only.