Lyon Creek Flood Reduction Project Open House Tuesday

Lyon Creek December 2010
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park

Lyon Creek Flood Reduction Project Open House Tuesday, April 22, 2014 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Join the City, project engineers and environmental experts to discuss the Lyon Creek Flood Reduction Project. Discussion will include project design elements, park restorations, stream corridor improvements and traffic impacts.

Lyon Creek is prone to flooding that damages commercial and residential structures. In 2012, the City was awarded a $3 million grant from FEMA and a $1 million grant from King County to design and construct a flood reduction project.

The City modified its original plan to construct a flood bypass pipe to instead enlarge the culverts through the Town Center under State Route 522. The culvert replacement project will benefit aquatic organisms and provide the same level of flood protection.

Sheridan Beach December 2010
Photo courtesy City of Lake Forest Park

Lyon Creek originates in Mountlake Terrace and Brier, flowing through Lake Forest Park and into Lake Washington at Lyon Creek Waterfront Park. With a watershed area of only 2600 acres, it is one of the smallest Lake Washington tributaries. Despite its relatively small size, Lyon Creek causes devastating flooding in Lake Forest Park during large storm events.

The flooding is characterized by the creek overflowing its banks near the Town Center and flowing into McAleer Creek. The flooding causes over $4 million in damage to public and private property for each large event.

Following the December 3, 2007 flood event the City initiated a flood reduction study to identify the source of the flooding and potential solutions. The study was completed in 2009 and recommended that a high flow bypass or culvert replacement be pursued on Lyon Creek to reduce the severity of flooding experienced on lower McAleer Creek and Lyon Creek. 

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