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Sammamish Town Center (not licensed)

Zackuse Creek Fish Passage and Stream Restoration

Map of Zackuse Creek Proposed Realignment, showing a more natural path as a replacement for the straight, right angled existing route

Project Overview

Spawning areas for native kokanee salmon have reduced to a handful of tributaries to Lake Sammamish when once they were known to spawn throughout Lake Washington, the Sammamish River, and Lake Sammamish. The decline of the local population has been of special concern to Sammamish residents, fisheries and native tribes. Without diversity in available spawning habitat, a single localized event, whether natural or anthropogenic, could destroy the entire population.

The Zackuse Creek Fish Passage and Stream Restoration project will aid in the reestablishment of Zackuse Creek as a kokanee spawning area. The project includes two primary objectives: 

  1. Replace the existing culvert under East Lake Sammamish Parkway (ELSP) so that it is fully fish passable and with design elements that emulate a natural stream bed.
  2. Restoration of approximately 400 linear feet of Zackuse Creek upstream of the culvert.

Public Outreach

Two public open houses were conducted for the Zackuse Creek Fish Passage and Stream Restoration Project. Details are available below.

Project Partners

The City of Sammamish is fortunate to work with the following partners on this regionally important fish passage and habitat restoration project:

Kokanee Work Group, Snoqualmie Tribe, King County Parks, Trout Unlimited, Washington State Fish and Wildlife, Eden Glen HOA, private property owners Wally Pereyra, Peter Weber, Daniel and Laurie Ivanhoff, Gary Mahn, and Mary Ellen Stone.

Timeline

Construction planned for Summer 2018.

Budget

$1.2M    Surface Water Management Capital Fund

Grants

This project is funded in part by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division (Water Works), the King County Flood Control District, and the King Conservation District.

$157,400       

King County Water Works Executive Council Grant

$375,000     

King County Flood Control District Flood Reduction Grant

$371,154        

King County Flood Control District Sub-regional Opportunity Fund

$280,000    

King Conservation District

Multiple logos - King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks Wastewater Treatment Division, King County Flood Control District, King County Conservation District, King County

Construction

Plans, Specifications, and Estimates

Permitting

ARMY CORPS Nationwide Permit, WDFW HPA, SEPA, PAUE

Approved Permits

Public Outreach

Two public open houses were hosted for the Zackuse Creek Fish Passage and Stream Restoration Project. 

The first public open house was held on March 29, 2017 to introduce the project and receive public comment on the preliminary plans. 

The second public open house is scheduled for January 2018 to share the 90% design plans with the public and to receive any final public comment before finalizing the plan.

On July 18, 2017, the City Council approved the plan for full road closure of East Lake Sammamish Parkway during culvert construction with planned detour routes.

Previous Studies and Reports