Why do we need a Watershed Management Plan?

Bellevue has more than 80 miles of streams that are home to salmon and many other types of fish and wildlife.

Bellevue’s landscape has changed dramatically in the past 150 years, from forests and farmland to a bustling city. Growing our thriving communities has affected the health of our waterways and the fish and wildlife who call them home.

How do our actions impact our watersheds?

• More pollution enters our streams from stormwater. Stormwater is rainwater that runs off hard surfaces like rooftops, paved streets, highways, and parking lots. When rain falls over these surfaces, it picks up pollutants like fertilizers, soap, oil, and dirt. This polluted stormwater flows into storm drains and can harm streams, lakes and wetlands.
  
  
• Natural surfaces filter water and help prevent stormwater from entering streams. Too much stormwater running into streams from hard surfaces, even if it’s not carrying pollution, can erode stream banks and harm fish and wildlife habitat.

What happens in our watersheds impacts the water quality and habitat conditions of Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington, and ultimately, our Puget Sound.