The City of Bellevue is nearing completion of a multi-year, $4 million effort to stabilize the banks of Coal Creek to reduce erosion, sedimentation and flooding, improve water quality and enhance fish habitat.

Mining in the Coal Creek area occurred for nearly 100 years, beginning when coal was discovered in 1863. Over that period, miners dug out 11 million tons of coal and 4 million tons of waste rock. Millions of tons of these materials were piled along the slopes and banks of Coal Creek. Especially vulnerable to erosion, they were carried to downstream reaches of the creek and beyond.

The last phase of the stabilization project focused on 1,400 feet of banks along Coal Creek, downstream of Lakemont Boulevard. Work involved installing 500 tons of stream boulders to stabilize the stream bank and over 220 logs and root wads to improve fish habitat. Earlier this spring, more than 13,000 trees and shrubs were planted to prevent erosion and provide shade, which helps improve water quality by keeping the stream water cool.

Once a new sediment pond is built this summer, the stabilization project will be complete. Monitoring will continue for several years to make sure planting survival goals are being maintained.

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