Freshwater Stream Sediment Review of Historical Monitoring Data 1987-2002

The King County Streams Sediment Monitoring Program is designed to assess water quality in the surface waters of King County by analyzing sediment quality. Analyzing sediment quality gives an indication of water quality integrated over time as many chemicals that are released to the aquatic environment eventually settle into the bottom sediments of streams, ponds, and lakes. Additionally, the many bottom-dwelling invertebrates living in bottom sediments make up an important link in the food chain and are therefore exposed to any contaminant that settles there. As part of King County government’s mission to monitor and protect water quality, freshwater stream sediment samples have been collected yearly since 1987 for analysis of physical and chemical properties. This data report describes the monitoring program and provides a review of the historical freshwater stream sediment quality data for the period 1987–2002.

Viewing the report

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View the Stream Sediment Report (0.7 mb)

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Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Water and Land Resources Division

Updated: Apr. 24, 2006