New culverts and stream bed in place for the heavy rains

The Lyon Creek stream bed improvements do their job
during the recent heavy rains
Photo by Jerry Pickard

The new culverts and stream bed in Lake Forest Park were in place just in time for the heavy rains of the past few days - and they were clearly doing their job.

Lyon Creek between Town Center and Bothell Way used to feature a semi-permanent installation of sandbags. Now the bed is wide and deep, with natural snags and tree debris to slow the water and create habitat.

New culvert under Bothell Way
Photo by Jerry Pickard

Lyon Creek was put underground when Town Center was built over 50 years ago. It flows behind the mall, then makes a U-turn in front of Starbucks and is above ground until it flows into Lake Washington. It frequently flooded the mall, Bothell Way, and Sheridan Beach.

Two watersheds meet in Lake Forest Park to flow into Lake Washington. Both the Lyon Creek watershed and the McAleer Creek watershed take in large sections of Snohomish county. Surface water decisions made by five cities and Snohomish county affect flooding in Lake Forest Park.

The City worked for years to identify the problem, come up with the best solution, and find funding.

Culvert under mall entrance from Bothell Way
Photo by Jerry Pickard

The $6.86 million project was funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the King County Flood Control District, the Washington State Department of Transportation, and the City of Lake Forest Park. The project was designed by Davido Consulting Group, Inc. and  built by KLB Construction.