Evans Creek Relocation

Map of project area

Project Overview

Redmond is committed to a vision of a climate resilient and environmentally sustainable community. Part of that vision is to protect and enhance the City’s natural systems, including habitat quality and the condition of streams. We are working to relocate a section of Evans Creek to improve salmon habitat, including juvenile Chinook rearing habitat, connected to the Bear Creek and Sammamish River watersheds. 

Historically, Evans Creek has been impacted by adjacent industrial development. This development reduced vegetation buffer zones and exposed the stream channel to sunlight, with untreated runoff potentially entering the channel. To reduce these negative effects, we are relocating the stream which requires the removal of the reed canarygrass and repairing the habitat with native vegetation. These efforts are a part of the WRIA 8 Chinook Conservation Plan and will help support wild Coho, Sockeye, and Chinook salmon habitat.

Project Features

  1. Reconstruct the channel to the north and east of industrial properties in open space where adequate streamside buffers can be established. 
  2. Reconnect the channel with floodplain wetlands and restore streamside buffer function (the protection provided by vegetation along streams) by controlling invasive weeds and planting native vegetation along the new channel. 
  3. Install natural features, like wood, in the new channel to enhance fish habitat. 
  4. Retain and improve the Evans Creek Trail, including building two new bridges, while also accommodating future expansions of the trail network to the west, fostering recreation opportunities in the area.

Work to Date

  • Performed outreach to affected property owners 
  • Project design through 90% is complete
  • Local, state, and federal permitting

Next Phase: Preparing for the Future Stream Relocation

Map of project area

By summer 2023, City of Redmond crews will prepare the proposed stream relocation areas along Evans Creek trail. This preparation work will include mowing, removal of invasive plant species such as reed canarygrass, and preparing for planting twelve acres of native vegetation.

The regional guidance for controlling reed canarygrass includes prevention and manual, mechanical, cultural, and chemical controls. The Evans Creek Relocation Project will utilize these methods to manage the reed canarygrass within the project site. Beginning in summer 2022, the project will be mowing and spraying the reed canarygrass field near the Evans Creek Trail. During construction, the project will remove additional reed canarygrass mechanically and with spot spraying as needed. 

Equipment mowing reed canary grass at Evans Creek

To prevent its regrowth, the City will be planting the entire site with native vegetation and mulching parts of the site. Crews will manually remove any resurgence of the canarygrass. Our management plan's overarching goal is to create an area of thriving native plants to help grow a more hospitable environment for spawning salmon.  

Timeline

  • 2019 – Ongoing project design and outreach to adjacent property owners 
  • 2020 – Completed Stream and Wetland Delineation Report and Biological Assessment
  • 2021 – Completed permitting actions, including federal and state joint application (JARPA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) Determination of Non-Significance 
  • 2022 & Spring 2023 – Preparing for the future stream location through managing invasive plant species and restoring with native vegetation
  • 2024 – Construction of the relocated stream will begin
  • 2025 – The relocated stream is completed

Project Funding

The total cost of the project is estimated at $19 million. The project is funded through the Stormwater Utility.  The City has also received grant funding from King County Flood Control District, including a $1,503,300 Cooperative Watershed Management Grant and a $1,284,526 Flood Reduction Grant.