Freshwater DataStream

Station 17D060 Description

The Little Quilcene River basin of approximately 40 square miles includes 12.2 miles of mainstem channel, and 81.2 miles of tributary streams. The headwaters of the Little Quilcene River originate above 4,400 feet on the north slopes of Mt. Townsend and its runoff is derived from both rainfall and snowmelt. The upper watershed down to River Mile 6.6 is within the Olympic National Forest and is steeply dissected with high gradient, confined stream channels. The lower seven miles runs through glacial sediments, siltstone and sandstone. This lower valley, including the floodplain, has been developed for domestic and agricultural use, and timber harvest. Along the Little Quilcene River, below RM 3.0, 60 percent of the riparian zone is developed. The lower 0.8 miles have been diked and the banks armored to protect property in the floodplain. The Little Quilcene River discharges to Quilcene Bay approximately one mile north of the mouth of the Big Quilcene. The largest tributaries in the Little Quilcene River sub-basin are Howe Creek, Ripley Creek and Leland Creek.