Jan. 22, 2018

No-contact advisory issued for west fork of Clear Creek and north end of Dyes Inlet

Advisory in effect through Fri., Jan. 26

The Kitsap Public Health District has issued a no-contact advisory for much of Clear Creek in Silverdale and the north end of Dyes Inlet due to a sewage spill reported by Naval Base Kitsap Bangor.

The spill occurred in the western tributary of Clear Creek, near the Trigger Avenue gate at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor. 

The no-contact advisory is in effect for:  

• The west tributary of Clear Creek from Old Frontier Road south to Silverdale Way, south of Rotary Gateway Park where the east and west tributaries meet (see map below).
• All shoreline of Clear Creek south of Silverdale Rotary Gateway Park to Dyes Inlet.

Because Clear Creek feeds into Dyes Inlet, the advisory also includes the north end of Dyes Inlet, north of Newberry Hill Road on the west, and north of Anna Smith Park on the east.  The advisory also includes: 

• Silverdale Waterfront Park
• Old Mill Park, Silverdale
• Anna Smith Park, Central Kitsap

No-Contact Advisories:  During a no-contact advisory, the public is advised to avoid contact with the water in the affected area. This means the District recommends against swimming, wading, or types of water recreation or play where water could be swallowed or get in the mouth, nose or eyes. People should also avoid direct skin contact if possible, and immediately wash with soap and water if they have exposure to the water. Signs have been posted at public access points along Clear Creek and Dyes Inlet. 

Shellfish harvesting:  Recreational shellfish harvesting is already closed along most of the shoreline of the impacted area due to ongoing pollution. Recreational shellfish harvesting is closed at Anna Smith Park, and the Washington State Department of Health has issued a commercial shellfish closure for all of Dyes Inlet through Fri., Jan. 26.

Effective Dates:  The no-contact advisory will remain in effect through Fri., Jan. 26

Kitsap Public Health will be collecting water samples along the creek over the next week. If bacteria levels remain high, the advisory could be extended.

For more information, visit www.kitsappublichealth.org/beaches.

Approximate area of affected shoreline highlighted in yellow. Approximate location of sewage spill noted with red X.

Source of pollution: According to the Navy, the sewage spill was caused by a power failure at a sewer lift station.

Spill volume:  The spill volume is being investigated.  

Date of incident:  Thurs., Jan. 18 and Fri., Jan. 19

For questions about the cause of the spill, please contact:

Sean Hughes, Naval Base Kitsap Public Affairs
360-396-1630 
sean.a.hughes@navy.mil

Impacted areas of Clear Creek highlighted below. 

For more information about the no-contact advisory issued the Kitsap Public Health District, please contact:  

Karen McKay Bevers |  Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District
345 6th St., Suite 300  |  Bremerton, WA 98337
(360) 728-2330 Office |  (360) 728-2235 Main
karen.bevers@kitsappublichealth.org  |  kitsappublichealth.org