Snohomish County’s Surface Water Management Division recently completed a grant-funded creek restoration along North Creek at 196th and Bothell-Everett Highway in Mill Creek.
The project spans The Clearwater School and Clearwater Commons properties and encompasses 1,500 linear feet of creek and 4 acres of property. Side channels were created, log jams were built, and floodplains were lowered to allow floodwaters to disperse. These enhancements were designed to create and enhance habitat for salmon.  In addition, about 9,000 native trees and shrubs will be planted this fall and winter on the properties.

The project was made possible by grants from the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration, and the National Fish and Wildlife Federation. Volunteer hours and some native plant donations came from the School and Commons, and matching funds made by Snohomish County Surface Water Management.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1, visitors to The Clearwater School, located at 1510 SE 196th St, Mill Creek, can take a self-guided tour to view the creek restoration as well as efforts the school has made to install solar panels that are providing power to the school.
 
The Clearwater Commons property is the first low-impact development housing project in Snohomish County and utilizes many green building features.
 
For information on the project, contact Snohomish County’s Surface Water Management Division at 425-388-3464.