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Integrated Scientific Assessment Report—Vancouver Watershed Health Assessment 1 Salmon Creek

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Integrated Scientific Assessment Report—Vancouver Watershed Health Assessment 1 Salmon Creek INTEGRATED SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT REPORT VANCOUVER WATERSHED HEALTH ASSESSMENT Prepared for City of Vancouver, Washington Prepared by Herrera Environmental Consultants, Inc. and Pacific Groundwater Group Note: Some pages in this document have been purposely skipped or blank pages inserted so this document will copy correctly when duplexed. INTEGRATED SCIENTIFIC ASSESSMENT REPORT VANCOUVER WATERSHED HEALTH ASSESSMENT Prepared for City of Vancouver Surface Water Management 4500 Southeast Columbia Way Vancouver, Washington 98661 Prepared by Herrera Environmental Consultants, Inc. 1001 Southeast Water Avenue, Suite 290 Portland, Oregon 97214 Telephone: 503-228-4301 and Pacific Groundwater Group 2377 Eastlake Avenue East Suite #200 Seattle, Washington 98102 Telephone: 206-329-0141 February 20, 2019 CONTENTS Abbreviations and Acronyms ..................................................................................................................................... v Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................................... vii 1. Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1. Overview ......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Study Area and Vicinity ............................................................................................................................... 1 2. Data Sources ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 2.1. Surface Water Data....................................................................................................................................... 3 2.2. Groundwater Data ........................................................................................................................................ 4 2.3. Geographic Information System Data ................................................................................................... 5 2.4. City Programs and Activities ..................................................................................................................... 5 2.5. Previous Data and Multi-Disciplinary Studies .................................................................................... 5 3. Watersheds Overview ........................................................................................................................................... 7 3.1. General ......................................................................................................................................................... 7 3.1. Land Cover and Land Use .......................................................................................................................... 8 3.2. Surface Water Hydrology .........................................................................................................................13 3.3. Groundwater Hydrology ........................................................................................................................... 16 3.3.1. Surficial Soils ............................................................................................................................16 3.3.2. Geologic Units .........................................................................................................................17 3.4. Aquifers and Aquitards .............................................................................................................................18 3.4.1. Unconsolidated Sedimentary Aquifer ............................................................................ 18 3.4.2. Troutdale Gravel Aquifer .....................................................................................................21 3.4.3. Lower Sedimentary Subsystem Aquifer and Aquitards ...........................................21 3.5. Groundwater Processes ............................................................................................................................22 3.5.1. Recharge and Discharge......................................................................................................22 3.5.2. Groundwater Levels and Flow Paths ............................................................................... 23 3.5.3. Groundwater/Surface Water Interactions ..................................................................... 24 4. Watershed Health Assessment .......................................................................................................................27 4.1. Surface Water Quality ................................................................................................................................ 27 4.1.1. Burnt Bridge Creek ................................................................................................................ 27 4.1.2. Columbia Slope .......................................................................................................................33 4.1.3. Vancouver Lake Lowlands ...................................................................................................34 i kg 17-06550-000_integratedscientificassessmentrpt_20190125_rz.docx 4.2. Groundwater ................................................................................................................................................. 34 4.2.1. Groundwater Availability .....................................................................................................35 4.2.2. Groundwater Vulnerability and Susceptibility .............................................................37 4.2.3. Groundwater Quality ............................................................................................................39 4.3. Riparian and Upland Vegetation ........................................................................................................... 45 4.4. Fish Presence and Aquatic Habitat ....................................................................................................... 45 4.5. Wildlife ....................................................................................................................................................... 49 5. Analysis of Watershed Management Effectiveness ................................................................................. 51 6. Strategies and Best Management Practices ............................................................................................... 55 6.1. Vancouver Programs to Protect and Improve Water Quality ....................................................55 6.2. Public Education and Outreach; Public Involvement and Participation ................................. 56 6.2.1. Water Resource Education Center ................................................................................... 56 6.2.2. Columbia Springs ...................................................................................................................56 6.2.3. Urban Forestry .........................................................................................................................57 6.2.4. Solid Waste and Recycling ................................................................................................. 58 6.2.5. Watershed Alliance ................................................................................................................58 6.3. Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination ....................................................................................... 59 6.3.1. Water Resources Protection Program ............................................................................ 59 6.3.2. Sewer Connection Incentive Program ............................................................................ 59 6.3.3. Coordination with Clark County Public Health ........................................................... 60 6.4. Controlling Runoff from Development and Construction Sites ................................................60 6.5. Municipal Operations and Maintenance ............................................................................................ 61 6.6. Monitoring and Assessment ...................................................................................................................62 6.7. Comprehensive Stormwater Planning ................................................................................................. 62 7. Recommendations ............................................................................................................................................... 65 7.1. Watershed Management Activities Demonstrated to Influence Water Quality .................. 65 7.1.1. Septic Systems.........................................................................................................................65 7.1.2. Riparian Plantings and Restoration ................................................................................. 66 7.1.3. Stormwater Retrofit for Existing Development ........................................................... 66 7.1.4. Operations and Maintenance ............................................................................................ 66 7.2. Data Collection and Analysis Recommendations
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