Burnt Bridge Creek

Burnt Bridge Creek
Burnt Bridge Creek on an autumn morning
Country United States
State Washington (state)
County Clark
Source Field ditches east of Vancouver, Washington
 - location near Orchards
 - elevation 201 ft (61 m) [1]
 - coordinates 45°39′37″N 122°30′30″W / 45.66028°N 122.50833°W / 45.66028; -122.50833 [2]
Mouth Vancouver Lake
 - location Vancouver
 - elevation 16 ft (5 m) [2]
 - coordinates 45°40′29″N 122°41′34″W / 45.67472°N 122.69278°W / 45.67472; -122.69278Coordinates: 45°40′29″N 122°41′34″W / 45.67472°N 122.69278°W / 45.67472; -122.69278 [2]
Length 13 km (8 mi) [3]
Basin 28 sq mi (73 km2) [3]
Location of the mouth of Burnt Bridge Creek in Washington

Burnt Bridge Creek is a 13-mile (21 km) stream flowing for most of its length within the city of Vancouver in the U.S. state of Washington.[3] It begins as drainage from field ditches near the unincorporated community of Orchards, east of the city.[3] The creek flows generally west to Vancouver Lake.[4] The lake drains to Lake River, which empties into the Columbia River about 11 miles (18 km) downstream of the city.[4]

For its first 8 miles (13 km), the creek follows a combination of natural and artificial channels, then continues along a small canyon for the rest of its course. The creek receives water from Cold Creek, its largest tributary, as well as Peterson Ditch, Burton Channel, and an unnamed stream.[3]

Watershed and water quality

Burnt Bridge Creek drains 28 square miles (73 km2) of mostly urban land. Only 4 percent of the basin is forested, whereas 23 percent is devoted to fields, pastures, and shrubland, and 73 percent has been developed for urban use.[3]

The water quality of surface streams in the basin range from "poor" to "very poor". Burnt Bridge Creek does not meet the Washington Department of Ecology standards for fecal coliform bacteria, temperature, acidity, and levels of dissolved oxygen. Despite the degraded habitat, the lowermost part of the creek supports Coho salmon, and steelhead are also present.[3]

Recreation

The 8-mile (13 km) mixed-use Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway Trail runs along the creek through the middle of Vancouver. The hard-surface path is used for walking, biking, and jogging, and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing. The trail begins at Stewart Glen, a city park, and passes through Leverich Park, another city park. Both parks have picnic areas, restrooms, and other amenities.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Source elevation derived from Google Earth search using GNIS source coordinates.
  2. 1 2 3 "Burnt Bridge Creek". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey. September 10, 1979. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Burnt Bridge Creek Watershed" (PDF). Clark County. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 31, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  4. 1 2 United States Geological Survey. "United States Topographic Map". Acme Mapper. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Burnt Bridge Greenway Trail" (PDF). Vancouver–Clark Parks & Recreation Department. Retrieved January 19, 2013.
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