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Wetlands in King County, Washington State

Building a Beaver Deceiver
Description of the Stormwater Control Facility

Peterson Pond

The culverts in the original dike had become blocked by debris over the years, causing the dike to overtop and erode. Because significant property damage could occur if the dam failed, King County staff decided to replace the dike with a new structure, including replacing the earth dam and constructing an outlet control structure and fish ladder. The facility is maintained by King County Stormwater Services as a regional stormwater facility.

The control structure is a concrete channel and contains a weir and shear gate to control the outflow. The fish ladder was provided due to the documented presence of salmon downstream of the pond outlet. Also, a submerged bypass pipe extends into the pond and drains to the control structure. This pipe was intended to maintain the flow in case the main outlet became blocked.

Outflow from the pond normally stops in late summer, beginning again after the rains begin in the fall.