2007 SHORELINE SURVEY
OF THE
BIRCH BAY
SHELLFISH GROWING AREA
Prepared by:
Scott Berbells, R.S.
Health Services Consultant
-October 2007-
Summary
During 2007, the Washington State Department of Health identified and evaluated 19
drainage/discharge points and the wastewater collection system located along
approximately 5 shoreline miles of the Birch Bay shellfish growing area. This
information, in association with data relating to the surrounding agricultural practices, has
been used to prepare this shoreline survey report.
Shoreline sampling events resulted in elevated fecal coliform levels at numerous
discharges around Birch Bay. Sampling data provided by other stakeholders, combined
with data collected by the Department during this survey show, sporadically elevated
fecal coliform levels in Terrell Creek. Because of the elevated fecal coliform levels and
the flow rate in Terrell Creek this report recommends closing the area around the mouth
of the Creek to commercial shellfish harvesting. The actual size of the closure zone
should be related to the estimated discharge of the Creek, documented fecal coliform
levels, and the water movement of Birch Bay.
The 1994 Birch Bay Shoreline Survey recommended a closure zone around a 36-inch
concrete culvert that discharges to the shoreline of Birch Bay (Site 4, Figure 2, page 5).
During this survey there was no end of pipe discharge from this culvert; however, three
samples were taken from seepage at the bell-end of the culvert sections near Birch Bay
Road. Sampling results ranged from <1.8 to >2,400 FC/100 ml. The lack of flow through
the end of the culvert resulted in gathering of insufficient information. The existing
closure zone should remain in place.
2007 BIRCH BAY
SHORELINE SURVEY REPORT
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Introduction
From October 2006 through August 2007, the Washington State Department of Health,
Office of Shellfish and Water Protection (the Department) conducted an evaluation of the
shoreline and upland conditions along approximately 5 marine shoreline miles of the
Birch Bay shellfish growing area. The evaluation was completed as part of a routine reevaluation of the commercial shellfish growing area. The shoreline of the survey area,
including the growing area boundaries and classification, is shown in Figure 1 on page 3.
According to the Soil Survey of Whatcom County Area, Washington published by the
United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, there are many
pockets of different soil types located within this watershed. The primary soils located
near the marine shoreline include: Bellingham silty clay loam, Neptune very gravelly
sandy loam, Skipopa-Blainegate complex, Labounty silt loam, and Whatcom-Labounty
silt loam. Characteristics related to these soil types are as follows:

Bellingham silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes – slow permeability with a
seasonal high water table located at or near the surface between November and
April.

Neptune very gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes – this soil type is located
along the eastern shoreline of the growing area. The permeability of the soil is
very rapid and it has a rooting depth of 60 inches. Runoff is slow.

Skipopa-Blainegate complex, 0 to 8 percent slopes – permeability through this
soil is very slow with a seasonal high water table at 12 inches between November
and June.

Labounty silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes – much of this soil has been artificially
drained. The soil is moderately permeable with a seasonal high water table at one
to three feet between November and May.

Whatcom-Labounty silt loam, 0 to 8 percent slopes – moderate permeability in the
upper portion and slow permeability in the lower part. The soil has a seasonal
high water table at 1.5 to 3.0 feet from December through April.
2007 BIRCH BAY
SHORELINE SURVEY REPORT
2
Figure 1
Survey Area, Classification, & Marine Water Station Location
2007 BIRCH BAY
SHORELINE SURVEY REPORT
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Susie Leland-Paul and Scott Berbells of the Department evaluated the shoreline and
upland areas around the growing area. Staff surveyed actual and potential sources of
pollution affecting the sanitation of adjacent marine waters and shellfish resources. The
Department evaluated drainages, wastewater collection systems, agricultural activities,
and other practices that could potentially have an adverse effect on the classification of
the area. Each of the actual and potential sources was defined according to the following
categories:
Direct Impact – a pollution source that is defined by the National Shellfish
Sanitation Program (NSSP) as any waste discharge that has an immediate adverse
effect on the growing area.
Indirect Impact – a pollution source that is defined by the NSSP as any waste
discharge that reaches the growing area in a roundabout way.
Potential Source – a pollution source that may influence water quality in the area.
Inadequate setbacks, neglect or abuse of sewage disposal systems, overgrazed
pastures, or a large number of wildlife are examples that could cause a site to be
identified as a potential source of contamination.
No Impact – the potential source is managed via proper on-site practices or
treatment methods so that there is no negative impact on water quality.
Results
Drainages & Shoreline Discharges
Nineteen drainageways consisting of creeks, stormwater catch basins, and stormwater
discharges were identified and evaluated by the Department during this survey. The
location of each site is shown on Figure 2 on page 5. Detailed information regarding each
site is listed in Appendix A.
The largest drainage entering the growing area is Terrell Creek (Site 03, Figure 2).
According to A Catalog of Washington Streams and Salmon Utilization, Volume 1, Puget
Sound published by the Washington Department of Fisheries, the Creek is approximately
8.7 miles long with 7 tributaries consisting of drainage ditches, creeks, and Terrell Lake.
The Creek originates at Terrell Lake and meanders approximately 7 miles before turning
and paralleling the shoreline for nearly 2 miles. Based on upland wildlife, agricultural
conditions, and water quality the 1994 Birch Bay Shoreline Survey recommended that
shellfish harvesting should not occur at the mouth of Terrell Creek.
2007 BIRCH BAY
SHORELINE SURVEY REPORT
4
Figure 2
Drainages / Discharges & Wastewater Pump Stations
Key
 - Drainage / Discharge
▲ – Wastewater Pump Station
2007 BIRCH BAY
SHORELINE SURVEY REPORT
5
The 1994 Birch Bay Shoreline Survey recommended a small closure zone around Site 4
(Figure 2), a 36-inch concrete culvert that discharges to the shoreline of Birch Bay. This
recommendation was based on elevated fecal coliform results obtained during sampling
activities within the survey period. A dye study and further assessment by the
Department indicated that there was no direct sewage discharge to this stormwater
culvert.
Eight catch basins were identified along Birch Bay Drive upland from the shoreline
developed parcels (Sites 10 – 17, Figure 2). These catch basins collect stormwater runoff
from the road. A shoreline resident stated that there are no outfall pipes from the majority
of these catch basins; stormwater infiltrates into the surrounding soils. Eight-inch outfall
pipes were identified in two of the eight catch basins (Sites 10 and 16); however the
discharge location on the shoreline was not located.
During this survey, water samples and flow measurements were periodically taken from
seven of the drainages/discharge identified along the shoreline of the growing area.
Table 1 lists those results. Only two of the seven drainages (Sites 01 & 03) discharge
directly to the Approved portion of the shellfish growing area.
Site #
01
03
Date
10/17/06
4/19/07
5/8/07
10/17/06
11/8/06
4/19/07
5/8/07
7/27/07
7/27/07
Table 1
Birch Bay
Discharge Evaluation
Flow (gpm)
FC/100 ml
7 (estimated)
540
7 (estimated)
13
6.8
220
130
140
<1.8
1,702
11
1,702
23
Approx. FC/Day
2.06 x 108
4.96 x 106
1.02 x 109
2.13 x 109
(intertidal area)
04
09
19
20
22
10/17/06
4/19/07
5/8/07
7/27/07
10/17/06
11/8/06
4/19/07
5/8/07
7/27/07
4/19/07
5/8/07
4/19/07
5/8/07
7/27/07
2007 BIRCH BAY
SHORELINE SURVEY REPORT
<5
<5
No discharge
10 (estimated)
<5
<5
<1.8
>2,400
23
130
240
<1.8
13
17
130
540
70
49
350
5.45 x 108
7.08 x 107
2.83 x 107
6
The Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association conducts routine analysis of the water
quality in Terrell Creek at seven different locations. Between late-2004 and 2007, 26
samples were collected and analyzed for fecal coliform bacteria from a site located on the
bridge at Birch Bay Drive and Jackson Road. Sixteen samples have been collected and
analyzed from the mouth of the Creek. Results from these sampling events are shown in
Table 2.
Table 2
Terrell Creek Sampling
Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association
Date
Birch Bay Drive
Mouth of Creek
/ Jackson Road
Bridge
(FC/100 ml)
11/17/04
12/8/04
1/19/05
2/9/05
3/17/05
4/28/05
6/21/05
7/19/05
8/24/05
9/21/05
10/19/05
11/16/05
12/14/05
1/10/06
3/13/06
4/6/06
5/8/06
5/31/06
6/29/06
7/26/06
8/25/06
9/20/06
11/13/06
12/13/06
1/9/07
7/2/07
2007 BIRCH BAY
SHORELINE SURVEY REPORT
12
110
350
14
16
210
120
30
74
23
22
28
29
270
36
50
28
200
56
7
11
180
180
140
56
48
(FC/100 ml)
9
3
4
15
310
23
38
33
72
38
300
15
520
120
420
20
20
7
Wastewater Collection & Disposal
The Birch Bay Water and Sewer District operates the waste collection, treatment, and
disposal components and facility that serves the developed shoreline around the growing
area. According to the NPDES Fact Sheet for the Birch Bay Water and Sewer District,
the collection system is described as follows:
The collection system is composed of approximately 52 miles of gravity and
pressure sewers, including eleven lift stations. The District operates a total of
eleven pump stations, seven of which follow the outline of the beach. The sewer
system is comprised of over 40 miles of 6- to 27-inch gravity sewers, 22,385 lineal
feet of force main, and 7,670 lineal feet of 24-inch outfall piping. Nearly 41,000
lineal feet of pipe ranging from 14 inches in diameter to 18 inches makes up the
majority of the collection system piping. The lift stations along Birch Bay Drive
provide the backbone of the present collection system.
The outfall from the treatment facility discharges into the south end of Georgia Straits
near Point Whitehorn. Treated effluent is discharged at a depth of 48.5 feet below mean
lower low water, outside of the commercial growing area boundaries.
The waste stream generated at Birch Bay State Park is collected and discharged to the
system managed by the Water and Sewer District. The majority of the Park gravity feeds
a lift station located near the marine shoreline via sewer lines running under Terrell
Creek. According to representatives at the Park, the Birch Bay Water and Sewer District
does not allow the Park to discharge to the lift station when there is a high water table in
the area. The Park has received a Cleanwater Grant and intends to replace the pumps and
lift station in late-2007.
Agricultural Activities
There are approximately 51 animal keeping sites in the Birch Bay watershed, according to
information gathered by the Whatcom Conservation District during a livestock
windshield survey. The majority of these sites pasture only one type of animal. The
number of sites identified, according to the majority of animals in the pasture area, is
shown in Table 3. The locations of these sites are shown on the map attached as
Appendix B.
Table 3
Birch Bay Watershed Animal Keeping Sites
No. of
Animal Type
Animal Type
Sites
Horse
Cattle
Sheep
2007 BIRCH BAY
SHORELINE SURVEY REPORT
23
20
3
Llama / Alpaca
Goat
No. of
Sites
3
2
8
Conclusions
Shoreline sampling events resulted in elevated fecal coliform levels at numerous
discharges around Birch Bay. Sampling data provided by the Nooksack Salmon
Enhancement Association, combined with data collected by the Department during this
survey, show sporadically elevated fecal coliform levels in Terrell Creek. Calculated
geometric mean values and range from sampling sites at the mouth of Terrell Creek and
at the Birch Bay Drive and Jackson Road bridge are shown in Table 4.
Table 4
Terrell Creek Sampling Results Summary
(FC/100 ml)
Mouth
Statistic
n
Minimum
Maximum
Geometric Mean
22
<1.8
520
40
Birch Bay
Drive &
Jackson
Road bridge
26
7
350
52
Potential sources of fecal coliform bacteria along the lower reaches of Terrell Creek may
include the Birch Bay Water & Sewer District collection system, side sewer connections
from individual households, and the connection to the sewer system at Birch Bay State
Park. However, the Department estimates that approximately 78% of the agricultural
sites identified in the Whatcom Conservation Districts survey are located within the
Terrell Creek watershed. In addition, upland wildlife activities may impact the Creek.
Wildlife quantity and locations were not documented during this survey.
Because of the sporadically elevated fecal coliform levels and the flow rate in Terrell
Creek (measured at 1,702 gallons per minute during low flow periods) the Department
should close the area at the mouth of the Creek. The actual size of the closure zone
should be related to the estimated discharge of the Creek, documented fecal coliform
levels, and the water movement of Birch Bay. The Department should evaluate the
hydrographic characteristics of Birch Bay and its impact to the flow of Terrell Creek.
There are currently no approved harvest sites near the mouth of Terrell Creek.
The 1994 Birch Bay Shoreline Survey recommended a closure zone around Site 4 (Figure
2, page 5), a 36-inch concrete culvert that discharges to the shoreline of Birch Bay.
During this survey there was no end of pipe discharge from this culvert. Three samples
were taken from seepage at the bell-end of the culvert sections near Birch Bay Road.
Sampling results ranged from <1.8 to >2,400 FC/100 ml. The lack of flow through the
end of the culvert resulted in an inadequate evaluation of this site by the Department. The
2007 BIRCH BAY
SHORELINE SURVEY REPORT
9
lack of flow, coupled with the individual sampling result of >2,400 FC/100 ml, should
result in the area remaining in Prohibited status.
Recommendations
The Department should:

Evaluate the hydrographic impact from Birch Bay on Terrell Creek and the impact
from Terrell Creek to the Birch Bay shellfish growing area. Create a Prohibited
area around the mouth of the Creek that reflects the bacteria load and
hydrographic characteristics.

Not approve any additional harvest sites near the mouth of Terrell Creek until a
Prohibited area has been created.
2007 BIRCH BAY
SHORELINE SURVEY REPORT
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Appendix A
Birch Bay
Waypoint Evaluation
Site #
01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Location
Lat.
N 48.89449°
Long. W 122.78534°
Lat.
N 48.90131°
Long. W 122.77367°
Lat.
N 48.92014°
Long. W 122.74462°
Lat.
N 48.9287°
Long. W 122.74622°
Lat.
N 48.92898°
Long. W 122.74587°
Lat.
N 48.92776°
Long. W 122.74535°
Lat.
N 48.92671°
Long. W 122.74522°
Lat.
N 48.92602°
Long. W 122.74549°
Lat.
N 48.93233°
Long. W 122.74754°
Lat.
N 48.91729°
Long. W 122.74630°
Lat.
N 48.91703°
Long. W 122.74647°
Lat.
N 48.91206°
Long. W 122.74971°
Lat.
N 48.90975°
Long. W 122.75269°
Lat.
N 48.90972°
Long. W 122.75293°
Lat.
Long.
Lat.
Long.
Lat.
Long.
Lat.
Long.
Lat.
Long.
Lat.
Long.
Lat.
Long.
Lat.
Long.
N 48.90967°
W 122.75304°
N 48.90930°
W 122.75376°
N 48.90909°
W 122.75412°
N 48.93944°
W 122.75749°
N 48.93785°
W 122.75408°
N 48.92125°
W 122.74464°
N 48.92435°
W 122.74529°
N 48.93687°
W 122.75238°
Comments
18” black plastic culvert, discharging during evaluation.
Wastewater collection system pump station.
Terrell Creek at mouth.
36” concrete culvert onto beach. No observed discharge during
evaluation.
6” concrete culvert onto beach. No observed discharge during
evaluation. End of culvert is near end of Site 04.
Culvert under road, unknown discharge point.
Culvert under road from catch basin, unknown discharge point.
12” green culvert through bulkhead, under building. 4” plastic pipe
below. No discharge during evaluation.
24” concrete culvert discharging approximately 10 gpm during
evaluation.
Catch basin on west side of Birch Bay Drive. 8” pipe in from north,
8” pipe out to shoreline (not observed on shoreline).
Catch basin on west side of Birch Bay Drive. Inflow/outflow pipe to
north.
Catch basin on west side of Birch Bay Drive. Inflow/outflow pipe to
north.
Catch basin on west side of Birch Bay Drive. Unknown outfall
location.
Catch basin on west side of Birch Bay Drive. Unknown outfall
location. Shoreline resident stated that there are no outfall pipes
from the majority of the catch basins. Stormwater infiltrates into the
ground.
Catch basin on west side of Birch Bay Drive. No outfall pipe
observed.
Catch basin on west side of Birch Bay Drive. 8” plastic outfall pipe
to shoreline.
Catch basin on west side of Birch Bay Drive. Unknown outfall
location.
Wastewater collection system pump station.
24” concrete culvert extended out a significant distance from
shoreline.
Large culvert under road to tidegate. Discharges at mouth of Terrell
Creek.
12” black stormwater culvert to shoreline.
24” concrete culvert on shoreline.