The goal of the project is to select a preferred alternative design that will improve habitat and rearing opportunities for salmon, while also providing cold water refuge from warm in-stream temperatures during salmon migration. 

Future trail connection and passive open space use improvements through the restoration are not included in the project scope or grant funding. Other important elements outside the scope of this project will be considered through the Parks and Recreation Master Planning process listed in the Parks PROS Plan and the 2023-2029 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP). 

The Sammamish River channel has been modified from its historic conditions and the habitat suffers from a combination of fish passage issues, disconnected and degraded riparian habitat and side channels, and lack of cool-water refuge ponds. Fish habitat and water quality are impacted by the current conditions. 

US EPA and the State Department of Ecology have identified concerns with water temperature and dissolved oxygen in the Sammamish River through Bothell.

Learn more about water quality in Bothell streams and rivers.

Conceptual design work has begun on the salmon habitat portion of the former Wayne Golf Course. City of Bothell staff and consultants are conducting field work and gathering data near Waynita Creek and along the Sammamish River. Some of the tasks they’ve been working on include: 

• Monitoring groundwater wells for information about the mixing of groundwater and surface water in the area.
• Measuring surface water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients levels.
• Surveying the land and stream topography within the project boundaries. 
• Assessing fish culverts upstream of the study area.

Last updated July 28, 2022

Once data collection is complete, 3-4 design alternatives will be created using this site specific information and presented to the community for review and comment. Using a matrix, the alternatives will be compared and a preferred alternative will be selected and recommended for the next steps in the design process. 

Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to provide your input about this exciting project!

Last updated July 28, 2022