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Creek Restoration
Creek Restoration
About the Urban Creek Legacy projects
Seattle Public Utilities is restoring portions of Seattle's four largest creeks; Longfellow, Pipers, Thornton, and Taylor Creek. These Urban Creeks Legacy projects improve drainage; prevent erosion and flooding; restore habitat and improve community open spaces and trails.
Program background
Seattle Public Utilities began the Urban Creeks Legacy in 1999 as part of Seattle’s Millennium Project, a celebration of Light, Water and Woods -- the resources that make our city one of the nation's most desirable places to live.
Creeks provide homes for wildlife and peaceful retreats for city dwellers. Creeks are also an integral part of Seattle's drainage system, as more than twenty percent of the rain that falls in the city runs off into the creeks.
Four watersheds
The Legacy consists of creek restoration and drainage projects in the city's four largest watersheds. The projects target water quality -- and quantity – issues, such as flooding and non-point pollution; degraded habitat for salmon and other wildlife.
Involving citizens as Creek Stewards is an important aspect of the program. Staff and volunteers monitor creek project sites before, during and after construction for indicators of creek health.
Summary
Urban Creeks Legacy projects are:
- • restoring and improving fish habitat,
- • removing fish passage barriers,
- • increasing storm water detention to control creek volume and improve water quality,
- • preserving open space adjacent to creeks,
- • partnering with community groups to ensure long-term stewardship,
- • educating schoolchildren and adults about common activities that have an effect on salmon.
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