Return to Archive

Bertrand Creek

Originating in British Columbia and crossing into the U.S. near the city of Lynden, Bertrand Creek is one of the Nooksack River's largest lowland tributaries. The U.S. portion of the creek is 9.8 miles long, and drains 42.5 square miles, about half of which is in each country.

Land uses are varied. The major land use in the lower Bertrand watershed is agriculture—both commercial and hobby farms. By contrast, the upper Bertrand watershed, which is in Canada, is mostly characterized by rural and residential development, the community of Aldergrove, and hobby farms. Concerns about water quality include fecal coliform bacteria from failing septic systems and livestock manure, dissolved oxygen, pesticides, high water temperatures, and urban stormwater in the upper watershed.

The amount of water in Bertrand Creek, also called instream flow, is a concern. Development pressures, especially north of the border, and permitted and illegal withdrawals for irrigation are depleting both instream flow and the aquifers that recharge the creek. In 1986, Washington State established flow standards to provide the minimum water necessary to sustain fish life and other aquatic functions. For Bertrand, these flows range from 13 cubic feet/second (cfs) in the summer to 90 cfs in the winter. Because the minimum levels are not always met, the creek is closed to further out-of-stream withdrawals.

The loss of wetlands is a related problem. The lower Nooksack and its lowland tributaries were historically forested wetlands, which helped to store water and slowly release it during the dry summer months. Much of the lower Nooksack, including the Bertrand watershed, has been drained for farming and other purposes.

These issues, along with straightening of stream channels and loss of riparian vegetation, are causing problems for the fish who use Bertrand Creek and its tributaries. Coho salmon spawn and rear in the watershed, with some use by chum and pink salmon as well. In addition, the headwaters provide habitat for the Nooksack dace and Salish sucker, both of which are considered rare and endangered species by the Canadian government.

Current habitat improvement projects include removing barriers to fish passage, such as culverts that are installed too high for fish to jump up and swim through. A recent assessment sponsored by Whatcom County Public Works identified 20 culverts, a flood gate, and six fish ladders that partially or completely block access to an estimated 44% of possible fish habitat in the watershed.

In addition, there are several monitoring efforts to track salmon spawning, stream flows, fecal coliform levels, and other parameters in the watershed. For example, a research team from Washington State University is monitoring water flow in Bertrand Creek at various points, as well as connections between creek water levels and groundwater levels in the watershed, with initial findings expected by spring 2007.

A special district called the Bertrand Watershed Improvement District was formed in 2003 to develop local projects to improve stream flow, fish habitat, and irrigation efficiency. For more information about the WID, contact Henry Bierlink at wcagpres@aol.com.

Return to Archive