The Hall Creek - Lake Ballinger drainage basin collects stormwater runoff from Mountlake Terrace as well as the cities of Lynnwood, Edmonds and Shoreline.
All these areas have experienced expansion of impervious areas with increased development. More impervious areas such as streets, parking lots, and building roofs increase runoff to surface streams and lakes. This runoff also carries with it pollutants picked up from streets, lawns, construction sites and commercial properties. Common water quality problems from polluted runoff include depleted dissolved oxygen levels, increased water temperature, excess nutrients, hydrocarbons, heavy metals and pesticides.
For this reason, all new development and redevelopment projects must meet state water quality standards for stormwater runoff during and after the construction portion of the project.