Project Overview
In 2010 the City of Issaquah restored fish and wildlife habitat at Squak Valley Park North, which is located on City property between Issaquah Creek and Issaquah-Hobart Road at the south end of town.
In addition, the City purchased four vacant lots at the end of Southeast Sycamore Lane that was included in this restoration project (these lots will remain as permanent open space, separate from Squak Valley Park North).
In total, the habitat restoration project encompassed approximately eight acres, which is one of the largest restoration projects in the City’s history!
Drawings of the final design, including grading, habitat features and plantings, can be found by following the links at the bottom of this page.
What does the project include?
The City removed portions of a levee along Issaquah Creek to reconnect it to the floodplain; restore habitat for both fish and wildlife; and reduce flooding in the Sycamore neighborhood.
The plan included removal of invasive plants, such as blackberries and knotweed. The project area was revegetated with native plants useful for habitat.
In addition, over 100 logs were placed in Issaquah Creek in various groupings and configurations to improve stream habitat diversity and quality overall. To compensate for removing portions of the levee, a low berm was constructed along Issaquah-Hobart Road to protect the road under very rare flood events.
Why is the City targeting habitat restoration at Squak Valley Park North?
Issaquah Creek within Squak Valley Park is a 1,100-foot long, relatively straight and uniform channel section. This unnatural configuration, which is poor fish habitat, was caused by the levee construction in 1935.
Issaquah Creek and its tributaries are used by a number of salmon species including Chinook, Coho and sockeye salmon; cutthroat and steelhead trout; and occasionally bull trout. These fish need places to spawn, grow up before heading back to the sea or lake, hide from predators and seek refuge during flood events. These fish habitat improvements, along with restoration of wetland and riparian habitat, are the goals of this project.
Will the project decrease flooding?
The overbank swale proposed for the west side of the creek on the northern properties should help to reduce flooding in the Sycamore neighborhood by a small amount. Removing sections of the levee and allowing periodic flood waters to reach the interior of Squak Valley Park will also provide some flood benefit. These actions, however, won’t eliminate the flooding that occasionally occurs in the area, nor make flooding worse in the adjacent neighborhoods.
What is the history of this project?
Following a flood incident in 1996, this project was one of several proposed in Issaquah to help mitigate flooding.
Over time, as Chinook salmon were listed on the Endangered Species Act and funding for habitat improvements became more accessible, the scope of this project expanded.
In 1999, the City started working on this project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 2008 and 2009, the City of Issaquah obtained grants from the King Conservation District and the State Recreation and Conservation Office to purchase the vacant properties along the west bank and construct the habitat improvements.
The park will primarily be a passive, nature park because of the valuable resources present onsite, including wetlands, streams and associated buffers. Existing environmental regulations would prevent all other types of development.
Will the public have access to the park?
Yes, there will be public access off of Issaquah-Hobart Road.
What other features will be built into park?
In addition to habitat restoration, the project includes trails, interpretive signs and one or two stream overlooks. These passive recreation features have long been planned for this undeveloped park and are compatible with the habitat restoration features. The City also located the Ruth Kees Memorial Grove within this park.
Are there volunteer opportunities for this project?
Yes! The City is working with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust on helping maintain vegetation that was planted for the project. Volunteers can help during several events scheduled each year. Check with Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust for information on volunteer dates.
Who can I contact for more information?
Kerry Ritland
Surface Water Manager
425-837-3410
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