Deschutes Watershed
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The Deschutes River is one of the largest streams in Thurston County, flowing over 57 miles from its forested headwaters to Puget Sound. The watershed that drains into the river includes a variety of land uses, including timber and agricultural lands, as well as developed areas within the cities of Olympia and Tumwater. While the Deschutes River currently supports a variety of wildlife habitat and recreational uses, it also suffers from ongoing pollution concerns. The river is listed under the federal Clean Water Act for dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform, temperature, pH, and fine sediment, and is the subject of a state-coordinated cleanup plan. Nutrient levels in the Deschutes contribute to pollution issues in Capitol Lake, and it is considered a major contributor to low dissolved oxygen levels in Budd Inlet. Anticipated future development in the watershed could exacerbate water quality issues. -- Thurston County
The Deschutes Watershed flows into the Deschutes Delta which anchors the Budd Inlet Ecosystem.
Notes[edit]
- County Webpage summarizing information about the basin.
- Ecology Deschutes TMDL - Deschutes watershed multi-parameter TMDL
- Deschutes Watershed Characterization Report (2011) by Thurston County.
