Johnson Creek is the third largest stream within the Sequim Bay watershed. It flows from the foothills of the Olympic Mountains into the west portion of Sequim Bay. With a total length of 7.4 miles, the east branch originates near the top of Burnt Hill, at approximately 660 feet, and the west branch flows from a pond/lake at approximately 240 feet through the City of Sequim land, draining the east side of Bell Hill. The upper creek flows through a ravine, and the lower 2 miles are low in gradient. Average annual flows are 13.2 cfs; suggested regulatory flows are between 5-26 cfs. Land uses include a BPA power line road, agriculture, rural and suburban residential, and a marina and trailer park in lower Johnson Creek.
Compromised B-IBI ratings indicate there may not be adequate high quality food for salmonids in Johnson Creek. Because the samples rated were very limited, new samples need to be analyzed in order to understand the current biological integrity of the creek.
The creek historically supported coho, winter steelhead and cutthroat trout, and they are still currently found there. It is estimated
that the habitat could support chum salmon, and that low summer flows probably limit use by species other than chum. Channelization and other development impacts habitat and spawning areas, limiting the extent and use of the creek by fish. Heavy sediment and turbidity also negatively impact fish, both in trying to find food and in spawning success.
- State of the Waters