Mayor Nickels Outlines Action Plan for Thornton Creek
Areas along the creek hard-hit during December’s record rain storm

For immediate release: 01/24/08
For more information, Contact: SPU Customer Service (206) 684-3000

SEATTLE—Mayor Greg Nickels today announced a detailed action plan to resolve drainage and flooding issues on Thornton Creek that were highlighted by the record-setting Dec. 3, 2007, rain storm. Several locations along the northwest Seattle creek were flooded during the storm, which dumped more than four inches of water in areas north of the Ship Canal in a 24-hour period.

Representatives from the Mayor’s Office and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) met with Meadowbrook community members Jan. 8 to learn about specific problems along the creek. The plan released today arose from that meeting.

“This action plan for the Thornton Creek Basin is an important first step to address flooding problems in that area,” Nickels said. “We know that with global warming we are likely to see more intense and damaging storms. And we will continue to work with communities across the city to be prepared when the bad weather hits.”

Nickels outlined work to be performed in four general categories: capital facilities; feasibility studies; operational activities and community involvement. Actions include:

• Demolishing derelict city-owned houses near Meadowbrook Pond. Demolition of the houses – a priority for community residents – is expected to be completed by the end of February 2008.

• Flood-hazard mapping, which will include providing existing FEMA floodplain information to residents, and then remapping the floodplain based on additional surveying and modeling.

• Reviewing the city’s operations at Meadowbrook Pond.

• Reviewing the operations of two King County sewer overflows located at Meadowbrook Pond.

• Making emergency repairs of flood-damaged infrastructure, including culvert repair at Northeast 105th, culvert repair at 35th Avenue Northeast, and sewer-line stabilization in Thornton Creek at approximately Northeast 104th Street and 17th Avenue Northeast.

• Performing non-emergency repairs, including culvert repair at Northeast 95th Street, the Burke Gillman Trail, and Northeast 93rd Street in the vicinity of Sand Point Way Northeast. If any of these culverts are found to be compromised, they will be elevated to emergency status.

• Conducting feasibility studies of projects that would make a number of improvements at the confluence of the South Branch Thornton Creek and Kramer Creek, and along Kramer Creek and the Nathan Hale Reach. Those projects could include increased storage capacity, culvert replacements and modification of the Kramer Creek channel along 30th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 110th St.

• Developing enhanced educational and outreach activities, including a SPU-led public tour of the operation of Meadowbrook Pond; a one- or two-day “Creek Summit” in March or April to provide residents with information about living within urban watersheds; and developing a quarterly newsletter documenting all routine and emergency operations and maintenance activities conducted by SPU workers at Thornton Creek.

In addition to providing more than 1.3 million customers in the Seattle metropolitan area with a reliable water supply, Seattle Public Utilities provides essential sewer, drainage, solid waste and engineering services that safeguard public health, maintain the city’s infrastructure and protect, conserve and enhance the region’s environmental resources.

Visit the mayor’s Web site. Get the mayor’s inside view on efforts to promote transportation, public safety, economic opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter.

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Seattle Public Utilities