Thornton Creek North Branch After the Rain

Somewhere Under the Rainbow in Shoreline Today

Today, after a 24 hr substantial rain, Thornton Creek's North Branch 
seems to be managing quite well. (But it is just the beginning of what needs to be done.)

Thornton Creek at Twin Ponds Park,
creek is running "bank full".
This section was "daylighted" in last decade
with grant funding from King Conservation District
and KC Waterworks

Thornton Creek has been the site of many problems over the years due to drainage and stormwater impacts. There has been litigation, flooding and challenges on  impact to fish habitat. The cities of Shoreline and Seattle have been facing many of these problems and attempting to resolve some of the problems. 

Shoreline needs to keep going in this direction. More pervious pavement, LID projects, open space,
tree canopy, drainage infiltration, and many more projects like the Green Streets project reviewed a few days ago on this blog and republished in Shoreline Area News. There is still a lot of work to do to undo
the problems of the past century of development. We now know what will work.

Let's get more grant funding and keep it up! 

Thornton Creek as it enters Twin Ponds (upper pond)

Ducks seem happy at Twin Ponds
after the storm

Shoreline has been working for many years to address the stormwater problems in the Thornton Creek Watershed.  In 2006 voters approved the Parks Bond projects, including the wetland restoration at

Cromwell Park.  Council approved the project in 2008 and the public process commenced. Peggy Gaynor, of Gaynor, Inc designed the project for Susan Black Associates. Over 2 acre feet of wetland detention is provided at the headwaters of Thornton Creek. Previously all these waters were piped and ran directly into Ronald Bog which has experienced many flooding events into the neighborhood. 

Now the park provides many benefits, including recreational trails and interpretive areas, playground, playfields and magnificent restored wetlands and wildlife habitat. Over 400 trees were planted in the project.

Cromwell Park Project next to King County Courthouse
provides many acres of wetland retention and recreational
opportunities

What is one of the major benefits of the project? 

Clean Water! 

Five of the 23 ducks seen at Cromwell Park wetland today

Just ask the Residents!