General Description of the Clear/Clarks Creek Basin:

The Clear/Clarks Creek Basin is located in north-central Pierce County, entirely within the Puget Sound Lowlands Puyallup River Watershed. The basin, about 32 square miles, originates just south of SR-512 and drains northward to the Puyallup River.

Clear Creek drains the western portion of the basin. Clarks Creek drains the eastern portion, including a portion of the City of Puyallup. The basin also contains a 6.8 square-mile internally drained area just south of Puyallup that contains numerous closed depressions or 'potholes': 94th Avenue East, 122nd Street East, 126th Avenue East, 160th Street East, and 180th Street East bound this pothole area.

The major creeks that drain into Clarks Creek are Woodland Creek, Diru Creek, and Rody Creek. The major creeks that drain into Clear Creek are Canyon Creek, East and West Fork Clear Creek, Squally Creek, and Swan Creek. Both Clear Creek and Clarks Creek drain directly into the Puyallup River.

The Draft Characterization Report was revised in 2003 to reflect comments from citizens, various groups and government agencies. The revised report has become the first four chapters of the Basin Plan. The report describes existing conditions in the basin.

The Clear/Clarks Creek Basin Plan was adopted by the Pierce County Council on April 18, 2006 by Ordinance No. 2005-115S.