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Storm and Surface Water

Introduction
	Drainage Basins
	Floodplain Map
	Flood Prevention
	Keeping Waterways Clean
	Peamouth Minnows
	Salmon in the City
	Storm and Surface Water System Plan
	New Zealand Mud Snails
	NPDES Program
	Streams, Lakes and Wetlands
	Stream Team
	West Nile Virus

Peamouth Minnows

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Update 5/17/2013

A small number of peamouth were spotted today at Kelsey Creek under the Wilburton Trestle. We don't know if this is a small run or if it will be followed by more fish tonight. It's always a wait and see event!

Update 5/12/2013

The peamouth made another surprise visit -- on Mother's Day and deposited more eggs at Kelsey Creek under the Wilburton Trestle. Will they return again a third time? We'll keep an eye out for them.

Update 5/3/2013

The peamouth started their first run last night while no one was looking! The stream under the Wilburton Trestle is now covered with eggs. There are still quite a few fish to see but they will be heading back to the lake soon. It is a beautiful day to run out there and see them but don't wait too long! There will likely be another group of Peamouth in 5-10 days.

Countless peamouth minnows return to Kelsey Creek in the spring to spawn. For 24 to 48 hours, the stream is thick with the usually elusive fish. Groups of peamouth have been observed one to four times every year from late April through June since 2004.

Volunteers in the Peamouth Patrol monitor Bellevue streams for the peamouth's arrival and track their numbers and wildlife when they visit. The city makes an effort to alert residents when the fish are around. Sign up for an Alert, and you will receive an email or text as soon as staff can post it when the peamouth arrive.

Unlike the stereotypical minnow, peamouth average a foot long. A Lake Washington fish, they can live an average of eight years. Unlike salmon, peamouth don't mind warmer water and lower stream levels in the spring.

Peamouth spawn in our streams, then return to the lake. The stream is plastered with gazillions of sticky little eggs that only take about a week to hatch.

The best spots to watch the peamouth are by Kelsey Creek, under the Wilburton Trestle and at the Mercer Slough Fish Ladder. Watch quietly at these sites and, in addition to the peamouth, you may see other wildlife looking for dinner, including blue heron, wood ducks, river otters and bald eagles.

Peamouth primer and directions to watching sites
Peamouth Report

Contact Information

Stream Team
Bellevue, WA 98009
Phone: 425-452-5200
E-mail: streamteam@bellevuewa.gov