The Road to Salmon Recovery

Recovery by design — King County Roads' projects that improve salmon habitat

Photo: Aerial view of the new meandering stream following NE 124th Street road widening.

NE 124th St. Road Widening Project

The new stream provides for over 3,000 feet of habitat for birds, amphibians, insects and fish.

Photo: October 2003 view of Cedar River Trail and new culvert on Rock Creek.

Rock Creek (SE 248th St.) Project

New culvert and bank stablization/restoration help bring salmon upstream.

Whitney Hill Bridge Replacement Project

Chinook salmon have been observed spawning under and around the bridge during the last three spawning seasons.

The projects completed by the King County Road Services Division in the unincorporated areas not only benefit motorists and pedestrians, but often they also enhance the natural environment for fish.

In recent years, King County has faced stringent new regulations under the Environmental Species Act regarding salmon habitat. Projects involving bridges, roadside ditches, and underground culverts now come under close scrutiny of federal, state and tribal fisheries agencies.

To comply with those federal, state and local environmental regulations, the county's road construction and maintenance programs will accomplish a significant amount of habitat restoration and enhancement over the next six years.

It is not always an easy task to design road improvements that also improve fish habitat, but the Road Services Division has been tackling increasingly challenging projects and earning a reputation for quality environmental work.

Featured projects:

Related links of interest:

Updated: Jan. 16, 2004