Streams and Stormwater
Neil Jensen, P.E., City Engineer, oversees engineering, stormwater, sewer and capital improvement projects. He can be reached at 206-368-5440.
For business hours stormwater emergencies such as spills or flooding call (206) 368-5440, afterhours call (206) 296-8100 or 911.
About Streams and Stormwater in our City 
The City of Lake Forest Park has a beautiful tree canopy. These trees create a park-like feeling in a mature suburban community. Beneath the canopy there are two salmon-bearing streams that are prone to flooding and have elevated concentrations of Fecal coliform and heavy metals. The City is working to reduce pollutant concentrations in the streams and reduce the occurance of regional flooding.
Surface Water Comprehensive Plan and Flood Planning Study
In an effort to reduce the occurrence of flooding in Lake Forest Park, the City Council has hired Otak, Inc. tto support the development of a comprehensive surface water management plan that will be consisent with the applicable permits while addressing the City's flood reduction planning needs. Otak began work in March 2008 and will complete their work in December 2009. To date there have been 7 presentations to the Lake Forest Park City Council regarding the development of the plan with the final presentation occuring on November 12, 2009.
Click here for the scope of work from Otak, Inc
Part A - Regulatory Gap Analysis
Technical Memorandum A1 - Stormwater Regulatory Requirements
Technical Memorandum A2 - Existing Surface Water Management Program
Technical Memorandum A3 - Final Programmatic Gap Analysis
Part B - Flood Reduction Planning Study
Technical Memorandum B1.1/1.2 - Surface Water Problem Identification
Technical Memorandum B1.3 - Stream Channel Condition Inventory
Technical Memorandum B2 - Conceptual Flood Reduction Evaluation
Flood Reduction Study - Final Report Complete (12 MB)
Flood Reduction Study - Final Report w/o Appendices (17 MB)
Lake Forest Park and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
The recently issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and State Waste Discharge General Permit for Discharges from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewers in Western Washington (Phase II Permit) outlines stormwater program activities and implementation milestones that permittees must follow to comply with the federal Clean Water Act. The permit requires that Lake Forest Park develop an extensive stormwater comprehensive plan to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable (MEP), comply with state requirements, and protect water quality.
The Phase II permit was issued by the Department of Ecology (Ecology) on January 17, 2007, and became effective on February 16, 2007. The permit covers a five-year period that expires on February 15, 2012.
The Phase II Permit applies to cities with populations less than 100,000 located within or partially within, an urbanized area and that operate a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) which discharges to a water of Washington State.
The City of Lake Forest Park has been designated by Ecology as a Phase II permittee based on the current population of 12,730 and location within the Greater Seattle urbanized area, on the northern side of Lake Washington.
Within the City organization, several staff will contribute toward meeting permit requirements. Currently, the stormwater management program is primarily the responsibility of the Public Works and Engineering Departments. The Public Works and Engineering Departments provide mapping, maintenance, spill response, illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE), and capital projects administration. The Planning and Building Department conducts development review, and provides enforcement and planning services.
Click the links below for the annual Stormwater Management Plans prepared by/for the City of Lake Forest Park.
2008 Lake Forest Park Stormwater Management Plan
2008 Lake Forest Park Annual Report
2007 Lake Forest Park Stormwater Management Plan
2007 Lake Forest Park Annual Report
Click here for more information about Western Washington NPDES Permits
Click here to view the results of the 2008 water quality survey required by the NPDES permit
Fish Ladder - 30th Ave and 187th St NE
In late September 2009, the City partnered with Adopt-A-Stream Foundation (AASF) to construct a fish ladder downstream of a perched culvert fish barrier on a pedestrian trail at 30th Ave NE and 187th St NE. The fish ladder consists of three sections of metal culvert placed on their ends in a stair-step fashion. Each step is short enough to be passable by juvenile fish. The fish ladder was lowered in place by hand, welded together and partially filled with concrete as an anchor. This entire process was accomplished in two weeks time with minimal disruption of the stream system. Prior to the project, a qualified biologist captured and safely moved three Cutthroat Trout and various invertebrates from the job site transferring them to free-flowing water downstream of the project site. Rubber padding was used on the top of the cut culvert sections to address the hazard posed by the sharp edges. The City partnered with AASF providing the necessary local permits and the culvert material. The project was completed by September 30, 2009.
2009 Earth Smart Fair - Stormwater and NPDES
On April 11, 2009 the City of Lake Forest Park hosted a Earth Smart Fair in the Towne Centre. Two tables were devoted to stormwater in Lake Forest Park and staff and Environmental Quality Commissioners were on hand to provide information about stormwater and NPDES. People were encouraged to pick up after their pets, wash their vehicles on lawns or at commercial car washes and never allow anything harmful to enter a storm drain or stream. Attendees were also encouraged to provide input on their activities that may impact water quality and on the City's stormwater program.
Materials including handouts and posters were provided by students from the University of Washington's Information Design Course. The materials were amazingly helpful and will be used in future events to promote stormwater quality awareness. Click the links below to view the documents.
Make Stormwater Your Business Brochure
Three Ways Kids Can Help Handout
Protect the Streams of Lake Forest Park Brochure
Low Impact Development Techniques Handout
Keep Stormwater Clean Brochure
Learn About Stormwater Brochure
Clean Rain in the Drain Poster
Water Quantity and Flooding
Water quantity is a serious concern in the City of Lake Forest Park (LFP). LFP is a downstream city among cities that are growing rapidly; further decreasing water quality and exacerbating the flooding problem. LFP has experienced two serious flood events in the last 10 years, flooding the LFP Town Center and parts of the Sheridan Beach neighborhood. Staff and elected officials are working within our own jurisdiction and with upstream cities to find a solution to our regional stormwater issues.
Preparing for a Flood
Reducing the severity and occurrence of flooding in Lake Forest Park is not going to happen overnight. In fact, it may take years or decades. In the mean time, you may want to take steps to prepare for a flood.
Please take this opportunity to prepare for a flood. Remove leaves and debris from storm drains, direct water from downspouts at least 10 feet away from your home, prepare sandbags, store household chemicals and valuables above flood levels, be prepared to evacuate and do not walk or drive in standing water.
Click here to be redirected to King County's Flood Preparation Webpage
Click here to be redirected to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Webpage - Flood
Do not rely on the sandbags provided by the City of Lake Forest Park or other public agencies. Please prepare you own sandbags. Click here to information about how to fill and place sandbags.
Emergency Sandbag Depots
The City of Lake Forest Park has sandbag depots at strategic locations throughout the City for use by residents in the event of flooding. The sandbags are for emergencies only, please do not take them unless a flood is imminent and your property is in danger.
Please notify the City of Lake Forest Park if you are interested in using the emergency sandbags. In your notification please provide your name, address, contact phone number, location the sandbags were taken from and number of sandbags taken. Notify City Hall by phone at 206-368-5440 or email.
Click here to open a form you can use to notify the City of Lake Forest Park.
Click here for a map that provides the locations of sandbag depots in Lake Forest Park .
Do not rely on the sandbags provided by the City as your only flood mitigation strategy. Use this opportunity to prepare your own sandbags. The emergency sandbags will be available October-May each year.
Click here for a link to ESAC press release on location of sandbags.
Emergency Numbers
- Power outage: Seattle City Light power outage hotline:
206-684-7400 or 206-625-4448. Use these numbers to report downed lines. - Natural Gas: Puget Sound Energy 425-452-1234
- Comcast Service: 1-877-824-2288
- Public Works emergency: call City Hall at 206-368-5440.
The after-hours number is 206-296-8100. - More Emergency Contacts: www.cityoflfp.com/news/emergency.html.
Water Quality
Lyon Creek and McAleer Creek are salmon-bearing streams. Unfortunately, they flow through an urban and suburban area and are near an interstate. This results in elevated concentrations of heavy metals and Fecal coliform. LFP staff and elected officials are continuously working to improve water quality.
In addition, water quality is affected by increased volumes of water that cause erosion and water siltation; smothering the organisms that live in the streams. In an effort to reduce water quantity issues that result from development, the City of Lake Forest Park is working, through a technical assistance grant from Puget Sound Partnership, to create and adopt Low Impact Development Ordinances.
StreamKeepers of Lake Forest Park is a volunteer group that monitors water quality twice per year in Lyon Creek and McAleer Creek. Their activities include tests for benthic index for biotic integrity (BIBI), Fecal coliform, pH, turbidity, temperature and dissolved oxygen.
Click here to visit the StreamKeepers of Lake Forest Park website.
The City of Lake Forest Park is a NPDES Phase II permittee and is required to meet specific requirements that are intended to increase water quality. This process is ongoing and is intended to improve water quality.
Reporting a Spill
Our Public Works crews have spill kits in each of their vehicles and are trained to respond to spills. Crews are on call 24/7 and have a fast response time.
Spills may include, but are not limited to, materials such as:
Vehicle Fluids (oil, antifreeze, brake fluid, fuel, etc.)
Yard Chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides)
Business Related (gasoline, diesel, cleaning solution/waste, etc.)
Sewage Leak/Septic Failure
Construction Site Discharges (sediment and/or chemicals in the stormwater)
Call (206) 368-5440 to report a spill during business hours (M-F, 9-5)
Call (206) 296-8100 to report a spill after hours (24-hour hotline).
Adopt-a-Drain Storm Drain Maintenance Program
Clean storm drains help prevent localized flooding and help keep our local waterways free of trash, debris and other pollutants. City crews work to keep storm drains clear, but with 1,500 drains in Lake Forest Park, we could use your help! With your assistance, we can keep streets safe and clear and can reduce property damage caused by flooding. Storm drains are normally rectangular grates with slats near the edge of the street. These grates collect water which then flows to the nearest stream or lake.
When you Adopt-a-Drain, you agree to check a storm drain grate or grates near your home frequently (particularly in the fall) and to remove any leaves or debris. We will also provide you with a stand up reusable leaf bag while supply lasts. Please fill out an “Adopt-a-Drain” registration form that you can get on the City’s website, www.cityoflfp.com or ask us to email you one. Forms are also available at city hall. Registering for “Adopt-a-Drain” helps the City keep track of drains that are being maintained by citizens. For further information, contact Tema Nesoff at tema@cityoflfp.com, 206 368-5440.
Click here to download the Adopt-a-Drain application
McAleer Creek
McAleer Creek flows approximately 6 miles from Lake Ballinger in Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace under Interstate 5 and through the northeast corner of Shoreline before it reaches LFP. McAleer Creek enters LFP in the northwest corner of the City and opens to a floodplain near the Towne Center and the Sheridan Beach neighborhood, eventually entering the northeast corner of Lake Washington.
Lyon Creek
Lyon Creek begins in south Snohomish County with a westerly fork in Mountlake Terrace and the easterly fork in Brier. The two forks join north of LFP and flow 3.8 miles through the center of the City. As Lyon Creek approaches Lake Washington, it opens to a floodplain behind the LFP Towne Center, flows east near Bothell Way and enters Lake Washington through Lyon Creek Waterfront Preserve.
How Residents Can Help
Nonpoint source pollution (NPS) is the nation's largest water quality problem. In fact, much of the pollution in Lake Forest Park's streams comes from failing septic systems, leaking cars, improper fertilization of lawns and gardens, car washing, improper disposal of animal waste, poorly managed construction sites and inappropriate disposal of chemicals. There are a few simple things you can do to reduce your impact. Please see the list of examples below:
Washing Your Car in the driveway may be the most harmful household chore you perform because it releases chemicals that have accumulated from driving including asbestos, heavy metals and oil directly into the drainage basin. In addition, the soaps used contain phosphates and other chemicals that can harm fish and other organisms. Next time you need to wash your car consider the following alternatives:
Using a commercial car wash is an environmentally friendly alternative because the water is typically used more than once and is discharged into the sanitary sewer system for treatment.
If you cannot visit a commercial car wash, wash your car on your lawn or any vegetated surface because the chemicals and soap will infiltrate into the soil rather than flowing directly into streams.
Improper Disposal of Animal Waste can have a profound negative impact on the environment. Animal waste contains harmful bacteria that can be hazardous to your health (especially children), and local streams and lakes. In fact, studies indicate that animal waste in urban areas is responsible for up to 20% of the Fecal coliform in streams. Proper methods to dispose of animal waste are listed below:
- Scoop it and flush it down the toilet so it is treated, like human waste.
- Seal the waste in a plastic bag and throw it in the garbage.
- Bury it in your yard so it can decompose slowly. The way to properly bury it is to dig a hole 10-12 inches deep, place 3-4 inches of animal waste in it and cover the hole with at least 6 inches of soil. Keep the waste away from vegetable gardens and streams because it contains harmful pathogens and viruses.
Click here to visit the Washington State Department of Ecology pet waste website.
Failing Septic Systems release untreated waste into the groundwater and on the surface. The untreated waste contains viruses and pathogens that are harmful to human health and water quality. Indicators for a failing septic system include bad odors, wet spots, lush green grass over the system, and plumbing back-ups and gurgling noises from the plumbing or tank. If your septic system fails, you are required to connect to the public sanitary sewer system if it is available. Most properties in Lake Forest Park have sewer availability. If you are unsure, please visit the Sewer page.
Leaking Vehicles are a serious problem in urban areas. Fluids that leak from vehicles include oil, anti-freeze (heavy metals) which enter our streams and Lake Washington without treatment. To reduce your environmental impact you can fix leaking vehicles, drive less and regularly maintain your vehicles. Don't forget to recycle your used motor oil and other fluids.
Fertilizing Your Lawn and Garden improperly is a waste of your time and harms streams, lakes and wetlands. It is recommended that fertilizer be applied in small applications no more than three to four times per year (April 15, June 15, September 1 and once during the winter months) for a vigorous lawn. To reduce the need for fertilizing you can leave lawn clippings on the lawn after mowing, use organic fertilizers because they have a slower release and are a more natural form, and lightly water within 24 hours after applying fertilizer to ensure absorption and avoid lawn burning. Never fertilize when a heavy or moderate rain is expected because much of the fertilizer will wash away, into our lakes and streams. Never apply a fertilizer/herbicide (weed killer) combination because it will put herbicides where they are not needed and are very harmful to the environment; spot treatment of particular weeds with a treatment specific to that weed is recommended. Click for more information about Gardening in Western Washington.
Managing Construction Sites or exposed soil is easy to do and required by the Lake Forest Park Municipal Code. Stormwater from construction sites and exposed soils contains high concentrations of sediments that, when it ends up in streams and Lake Washington, smothers fish and other organisms. Use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) are required when soils are exposed in Lake Forest Park. Examples of BMPs include silt fencing around disturbed areas, visqueen or straw over exposed soil, use of settling ponds to encourage infiltration and hydroseeding when work is complete or during specific construction phases. Projects that include one acre or more require a permit from the Washington State Department of Ecology. Click here for the permit application. If you have questions about a project in Lake Forest Park call Calvin Killman, Building Official, at (206) 368-5440.
Disposal of Chemicals properly is extremely important because many household chemicals are very harmful, especially if they are released into streams and/or lakes. Disposal of chemicals in an improper manner is a violation of local, state and federal laws. If you are unsure about how to dispose of household chemicals please see the link below.
Click here for more information about disposal of hazardous household chemicals.
Mapping
During the Summer of 2008 the City of Lake Forest Park hired Alex Wallace as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Intern. Alex returned to Western Washington University in September 2008 to continue his study of planning and GIS. While Alex was with LFP he mapped the City's sanitary sewer system, stormwater system, steep slopes, wetlands and streams. He also collected geographic data from the surrounding jurisdictions to help us better understand our regional concerns. Alex demonstrated that GIS is a powerful tool the City can use to better understand numerous issues in our region including crime, stormwater, utilities, parks, operation and maintenance, land use, sensitive areas and tree canopy. Please click on the links below to view some of his maps in .jpeg format. If you have questions about Alex's work or would like to see some additional maps please contact Aaron Halverson, Engineering and Stormwater Technician at aaron @cityoflfp.com.
- Streams and Wetlands – Air Photo Background (.jpeg)
- Stormwater System(.jpeg)
- Lyon Creek and McAleer Creek Impervious Surface by Subbasin in Lake Forest Park and Surrounding Jurisdictions (.jpeg)
- McAleer Creek Lot Coverage's Based Upon Allowed Impervious Surfaces by Zoning. (.pdf)
- Tree Canopy Cover in LFP based on analysis of air photo. (.jpeg)
