Streams, Lakes and Wetlands

 Streams, lakes and wetlands are critical areas protected from development. They are part of Bellevue's drainage system.

• Bellevue has more than 60 miles of streams.
  
  
• Streams provide a natural setting and feeding areas for chinook, coho, sockeye, steelhead, cutthroat trout, waterfowl and other wildlife.
  
  
• In Bellevue, it's illegal to remove plants from or disturb stream corridors. Please call Development Services at the Service First desk for more information.
  
  
• In addition to bordering Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish, Bellevue has three small lakes --Phantom Lake, Larsen Lake and Lake Bellevue.
  
• Bellevue has more than 800 acres of wetlands.
  
  
• Wetlands slow down stormwater runoff, which prevents flooding and erosion, and serve as a rich habitat for fish and wildlife.
  
  
• If you see signs of pollutant spills near a storm drain or water body, please call Utilities.
  
  
• To receive a guidebook to Bellevue’s streams, lakes, wetlands, watersheds, salmon migration and other information, call 425-452-6932 and ask for a copy of Water All Around Us.

Help our local waterways by volunteering for the Stream Team.