| Burnt Bridge Creek | |
| Map Size: | 300 |
| Pushpin Map: | Washington#USA |
| Pushpin Map Size: | 300 |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the mouth of Burnt Bridge Creek in Washington |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | United States |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Washington (state) |
| Subdivision Type4: | County |
| Subdivision Name4: | Clark |
| Length: | 13km (08miles) |
| Source1: | Field ditches east of Vancouver, Washington |
| Source1 Location: | near Orchards |
| Source1 Coordinates: | 45.6603°N -122.5083°W[1] |
| Source1 Elevation: | 201feet[2] |
| Mouth: | Vancouver Lake |
| Mouth Location: | Vancouver |
| Mouth Coordinates: | 45.6747°N -122.6928°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 16feet |
| Basin Size: | 28sqmi[3] |
Burnt Bridge Creek is a 13miles stream flowing for most of its length within the city of Vancouver in the U.S. state of Washington.[3] It begins as drainage from field ditches near the unincorporated community of Orchards, east of the city.[3] The creek flows generally west to Vancouver Lake. The lake drains to Lake River, which empties into the Columbia River about 11miles downstream of the city.[4]
For its first 8miles, the creek follows a combination of natural and artificial channels, then continues along a small canyon for the rest of its course. The creek receives water from Cold Creek, its largest tributary, as well as Peterson Creek, Burton Channel, and an unnamed stream.[3]
Burnt Bridge Creek drains 28mi2 of mostly urban land. Only 4 percent of the basin is forested, whereas 23 percent is devoted to fields, pastures, and shrubland, and 73 percent has been developed for urban use.[3]
The water quality of surface streams in the basin range from "poor" to "very poor". Burnt Bridge Creek does not meet the Washington Department of Ecology standards for fecal coliform bacteria, temperature, acidity, and levels of dissolved oxygen. Despite the degraded habitat, the lowermost part of the creek supports coho salmon, rainbow trout and steelhead.[3]
The 8miles mixed-use Burnt Bridge Creek Greenway Trail runs along the creek through the middle of Vancouver. The hard-surface path is used for walking, biking, and jogging, and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing. The trail begins at Stewart Glen, a city park, and passes through Leverich Park, another city park. Both parks have picnic areas, restrooms, and other amenities.[5]