PROGRAMS: FORBES CREEK RESTORATION

In 1982, citizens of Kirkland sued the City of Kirkland for allowing a Kirkland sand and gravel company to grade wetlands surrounding Forbes Creek. The area of concern was a stretch located downstream of the Gravel pit that drains into Lake Washington near Juanita Bay. IWLA member and Kirkland resident, Kay Haenggi, helped organize and champion this effort.

Once the legal case was resolved, the League offered technical assistance in proceeding with the restoration effort. The creek channel was modified from it's heavily braided course into one primary channel, thus recreating a channel capable of sustaining the once native cutthroat trout, steelhead, Coho and Sockeye salmon. School children at the local Peter Kirk Elementary School also lent a hand and learned about the importance of stream habitat. 

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Summary:

Restoring stream habitat for spawning salmon

© 2001. Greater Seattle Chapter, Izaak Walton League.