Access limited during restoration work at King County’s Chinook Bend Natural Area

Habitat improvements scheduled to begin July 11

A summertime project to improve habitat conditions for fish and wildlife along the Snoqualmie River, while maintaining flood protection for nearby landowners, will require temporary public access restrictions at King County’s Chinook Bend Natural Area.

To ensure public safety, the County’s 59-acre natural area near Carnation will be closed to all access during staging and construction, which is expected to begin July 11.

Work this summer includes removing approximately 500 feet of a bank constructed to prevent erosion at the downstream end of Chinook Bend. The in-water work must be done during the summertime low-flow season on the Snoqualmie River before the fall rains and adult salmon return to spawn.

While construction is expected to last for about three weeks, the actual duration of the work could last longer as it is dependent upon the flow levels of the Snoqualmie River.

Temporary traffic delays, increased noise and truck traffic are expected during construction. Flaggers will be on-site to direct traffic as needed. This is the final phase of the Chinook Bend Floodplain Enhancement project.

In addition to the salmon restoration work, there are new public amenities at Chinook Bend including a new trail that is wheelchair accessible, interpretive signage, public art, a public parking lot and a restroom.

The Chinook Bend Natural Area was donated in 2000 to King County by Nestle USA Corp. The floodplain has been undergoing reforestation for the past 12 years, and this is the final phase of the project. Previous work included removing more than 1,500 feet of the levee and a bank constructed to prevent erosion at the upstream end of the site.

Approximately 15,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted by volunteers within the project area to restore the floodplain to a forested condition.

The Chinook Bend Habitat Restoration Project is funded by the King Conservation District, Salmon Recovery Funding Board and the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks. Amenities are funded by a grant from the state Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account program.

For more information, contact Mary Maier, King County, Snoqualmie Basin steward, at 206-296-1914 or mary.maier@kingcounty.gov, or visit the Chinook Bend website at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/natural-lands/ecological/chinook-bend.aspx.

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