Due to frequent flooding of 21st Street at Valley Creek in the past, the City of Bellevue Utilities Department has replaced and upsized the existing culvert to reduce the frequency of road flooding. In addition, accumulated sediment and vegetation overgrowth was removed to restore the creek channel, help convey flows during large storms, and improve fish passage.
Sears Creek flows along the south side of 21st Street to Valley Creek, and can also overflow its channel and cause water flows on the road along 21st Street east of Valley Creek. This project included additional new storm inlets to reduce flood levels at Valley Creek to improve access to businesses via 21st during storms, but will not prevent future potential road flooding along 21st Street east of Valley Creek or in Valley Creek north of 21st Street.
Future City projects, such as upsizing the culvert on 20th Street NE, are expected to provide additional reductions in flood levels and frequency or risk of road flooding during large storms.
Funding
The King County Flood Control District provided funding for this project, along with the City of Bellevue. The District collects a tax on all properties in King County for flood control planning and projects.
Project Schedule
Construction was completed in December 2023. There will be ongoing monitoring of the project to maintain vegetation and detect any erosion of the creek area.
- Winter 2022: Final design
- January – February 2023: Complete design and permitting; project goes to bid for construction
- May 2023: Construction begins
- Fall 2023: Construction ends
Community Engagement
The project team hosted an Online Open House to share information about the project, potential impacts, and answer questions on Thursday, December 15, 2022. View the presentation from the Online Open House and watch the recording below.
