Help Keep Stormwater Clean

We all need to do our part to protect and improve the quality of water in our local creeks, rivers, lake and wetlands. Where adequate stormwater infrastructure does not exist, rainwater that runs off of our yards and streets flows into storm drains or ditches and directly into the nearest body of water without treatment.

Through simple actions in our daily lives, we can help keep pollutants out of stormwater and keep our local waterways, such as Beaver Lake, Ebright Creek and Lake Sammamish, clean and healthy. Here are some things you can do at home to reduce stormwater pollution:

Waste Disposal and Spills - Dispose of waste property and report any spills.

Drainage - Consider replacing impervious surfaces like sidewalks, decks and driveways around your home with pervious materials or directing stormwater to low impact development best management practices. Examples of low impact development include installation of rain gardens or dispersion trenches to reduce directed surface water discharges.

Car Care - Use a commercial car washing facility and make sure your automobile isn’t leaking fluids. Hold an eco-car wash.

Yard and Garden Care - Practice natural yard care to reduce the use of hazardous products while saving time, water, money, and helping to preserve the environment.

Pet Waste - Practice proper waste disposal.

Pool and Spa Care - Pool and spas contain chemicals that can damage the aquatic life in our lakes, rivers, creeks and wetlands.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The City of Sammamish appreciates all the dedicated volunteers who take time out of their busy lives to give back to their community and enhance their natural resources. Below are ways you can make a difference:

City of Sammamish Volunteer Program

City Volunteer Opportunities

Storm Drain Marking Program

Storm Drain Marking is a way to inform citizens of the connection between stormwater runoff and their yards, roads and nearby waterways. Citizens are cautioned not to dispose of things like gardening chemicals, grease, soap, oils, etc. into the storm drains by the following message “Only Rain Down the Drain”, which is displayed next to storm drains.

This is a great activity for any volunteer organization, including: schools, scouts, churches, block clubs, and service organizations (e.g. Boy Scouts).

The City of Sammamish is promoting the storm drain marking program throughout the city. For more information about the program, email Lisa Werre at lwerre@sammamish.us or contact her at (425) 295-0573.

Adopt a Storm Drain

Clean leaves and debris from storm drains to prevent localized flooding. City crews work to keep storm drains clear, but with 12,000 drains in Sammamish, we could use your help! With your assistance, we can keep streets safe and clear and can reduce property damage cause by flooding.

Keep leaves and debris out of storm drains
• Check storm drain grates and the surrounding area frequently to make sure they are free of leaves and debris.
• Rake leaves away from storm drains and gutters near your house or business and dispose of leaves in your year waste container or compost bin.
• Do not remove the grate from the storm drain opening – this does not unclog the system and creates a hazard for everyone.
• Do not rake or blow leaves from your property into the streets. Our street sweeper cannot pick up large piles of leaves. It also a violation of Kirkland Municipal Code and could result in warning or even a fine.

Kokanee Quest

The Kokanee Quest geocaching adventure project has been extended through January, 2019! Kokanee Quest is a real-world treasure hunt for geocaches hidden around Lake Sammamish. Kokanee Quest can be done as a family or on your own and is suitable for all ages. As a participant, you'll learn about Lake Sammamish kokanee as you hike or bike in search of geocaches hidden in places that are important to kokanee. When you see the cache, you might also see some kokanee!

To begin, visit the Kokanee Quest website to download your series passport. Then follow the instructions for setting up an account at Geocaching.com where cache pages with clues and coordinates are published. To locate geocaches, you'll need a navigational device - a GPS-enabled mobile phone or tablet or a dedicated GPS unit. GPS stands for "global positioning system" and refers to specialized satellites that can work with ground-based receivers to calculate the exact location of any spot on earth. Once you navigate to a location, you'll search for a hidden container. Once you find the geocache, you sign the physical logbook and then share your experiences on the cache's online page and by posting about it using the hashtag, #KokaneeQuest.

Begin your Kokanee Quest: http://www.govlink.org/kokanee-quest/

RESOURCES

Kokanee Work Group

Sammamish Stormwater Stewards

Sammamish Outreach Advisory Committee

Making Way for Salmon – Video

An Urban Refuge for a Little Red Fish - Video

Polluted Puddles: Arlo’s Quest to Clean Up our Mess - Video

Solving Stormwater - Video

Save Lake Sammamish

Mid Sound Fisheries

Trout Unlimited