Willow Creek Fish Passage Restoration Project

Updated: March 28, 2025

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, we held the Willow Creek Fish Passage Restoration Project Ribbon Cutting Celebration! This was a great opportunity to celebrate with our neighbors (and Sal the Salmon!).  Thank you to all the neighbors for your patience during construction!

This project was a collaboration with Seattle Parks and Recreation and was designed to: 

  • Restore natural habitats and eliminate barriers to fish migration by redirecting Willow Creek away from a culvert. 
  • Install a new pedestrian bridge, improving neighborhood connections to natural areas. 
  • Improve the creek's habitat by planting new trees and shrubs. 
  • Improve stormwater drainage. 

Three photos of the Willow Creek Fish Passage ribbon cutting event

View of the newly restored Willows Creek Fish Passage

Project Background

In summer of 2021, The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) completed construction of the Northgate Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge over I-5 in the Northgate neighborhood of North Seattle. The Bridge runs over and through the North Watercourse, which is a tributary to the South Branch of Thornton Creek. The Bridge project has impacted the North Watercourse by decreasing habitat and retaining the barrier to fish passage.

Upon completion of this project, we chose to mitigate for these impacts off-site at Willow Creek, which is located at NE 100th Street near Lake City Way. The proposed changes consist of re-routing the creek and removing two culverts, one of which is currently a partial blockage to fish passage.

Project Maps

A graphic map showing the city right of way on NE 100th street as it extends over Willow Creek

Pictured: Existing Conditions at NE 100th St

A graphic map showing the location of the proposed drainage pipe at NE 100th street which will re-route the creek from the right of way.

Pictured: The changes proposed to Willow Creek and the west end of NE 100th St

Project Library

Transportation

Adiam Emery, Interim Director
Address: 700 5th Ave, Suite 3800, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34996, Seattle, WA, 98124-4996
Phone: (206) 684-7623
684-Road@seattle.gov

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The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is on a mission to deliver a transportation system that provides safe and affordable access to places and opportunities for everyone as we work to achieve our vision of Seattle as a thriving, equitable community powered by dependable transportation.