Where is North Creek?

North Creek drains much of the suburban runoff from the cities of Bothell, Mill Creek, and South Everett. It is home to several species of salmon, steelhead, and cutthroat trout. The creek empties into the Sammamish River after passing through the University of Washington North Creek Wetland Restoration Project.

What’s the problem with North Creek?

Suburban Snohomish County in and near the cities of Bothell, Mill Creek, and South Everett has a long history of development and loss of natural landscapes. Forest and wetland soils can filter pollutants from storm water runoff prior to entering the stream system. The replacement of native forests and wetlands with impervious surfaces causes storm water to more rapidly enter North Creek and its tributaries before pollutants can be removed. These pollutants create poor living conditions for salmon. Due to a lack of filtration, North Creek is listed as an impaired stream by the Washington Department of Ecology for low dissolved oxygen levels, increased water temperature, and high levels of fecal coliform bacteria.  

What’s being done to help North Creek?

The Snohomish Conservation District has secured 2 grants from the Washington Department of Ecology to restore 27 acres of streamside and wetland areas in the North Creek sub basin at Centennial Park in Bothell, and two private properties along North Creek. These restoration projects will focus on planting the floodplain with native trees and shrubs that will replace the invasive plants and provide much needed filtration and shade to the creek. In addition to the planting, the Snohomish Conservation District will also be hosting streamside landowner workshops, Sound Horsekeeping events, and a septic workshop for landowners in the North Creek watershed.

Upcoming Events

Sign up for emails at the bottom of this page to be in the know when the streamside landowner workshops, Sound Horsekeeping events and the septic workshop will take place.