Ecology studies three tributaries in the White/Puyallup River watershed — Boise, Pussyfoot, and Second Creeks — for ten years to determine the effectiveness of best management plan (BMP) implementation and restoration projects in the watershed. Ecology monitors near the mouth of each creek monthly for all ten years to track the status and trends of water quality conditions. Every five years of the study, monitoring involves a more intensive effort of visiting approximately 30 sites twice per month. Ecology also conducts source-tracing activities to identify and eliminate pollution sources near sites that have particularly high concentrations of bacteria or nutrients.
Ecology's multi-parameter water quality data are updated at the Puyallup River Tributaries Effectiveness Monitoring StoryMap. This StoryMap displays the most up-to-date water quality data from Ecology's effectiveness monitoring study, shows progress toward the TMDL fecal coliform (FC) targets and maps ongoing restoration projects throughout the watershed. Data can be also downloaded from Ecology’s Environmental Information Management database.
The Puyallup River Watershed Partnership partners, including King County Stormwater Services, Washington State Department of Agriculture, and Ecology, update bacteria data on the Whatcom Conservation District StoryMap. This StoryMap allows multiple partners to share and map information in one place.