Thurston County, Washington

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Thurston County Washington

Woodard Creek Basin Study

Study Summary
Thurston County conducted a study of Woodard Creek Basin to identify land use policies to preserve the basin's future health. The study was recommended in the County's earlier Science to Local Policy Study, because the basin is impacted by significant commercial and industrial development. 

Study Dates 2014

Completed Work (PDFs)
Final Report
Basin Aerial Map
12 Study Maps
Maps of Three Future Options

MORE PROJECT DETAILS

 

Background on the Woodard Creek Basin
The basin's water quality was ranked as "fair," because it exceeds standards for bacteria and nutrients, but the basin health has deteriorated as a result of development. More than 15 percent of it is now paved over by roads and parking lots, and must of the historic tree canopy is gone. 

The Woodard Creek Basin includes significant commercial and industrial sites near the Olympia-Lacey border, with mostly residential sites to the north. While the basin is relatively healthy today, futured development could increase the amount of impervious surfaces and stormwater runoff, exacerbating water quality issues. 

Woodard Creek
The second-largest stream flowing into Henderson Inlet (a vital shellfish production area). The creek originates in a wetland near Fones Road surrounded by commercial and industrial development, and flows north through unincorporated Thurston County into Woodard Bay. 

Public Outreach

​Meeting Date ​Meeting Materials (PDFs)
​October 22, 2014 (Community workshop) ​​​Presentation - Woodard Basin
Maps of Three Future Options
March 12, 2014  (Community workshop)​ Presentation - About the Science to Policy Project
Fact Sheet - Woodard Creek Basin
Handout - Sensitive Basins
Handout - Urban Basins

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Project Funding 
This project was funded in whole or part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under assistance agreement (PO -00J12401-0) to Thurston County. The contents of this website do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the EPA, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.