Project Update

Construction repairs to the Reinig Road Revetment took place between approximately June 15 and Oct. 12, 2021. Southeast Reinig Road was closed near the project site for construction and reopened by Sept. 20, 2021. The closure area was limited to Southeast 81st Street to 428th Avenue Southeast. Local access for emergency vehicles, Snoqualmie Valley School District school buses, and residents living along this stretch of road was provided.

Project Overview

The Reinig Road Revetment is located along Southeast Reinig Road on the north bank of the Snoqualmie River opposite the mouth of the South Fork Snoqualmie River and the Three Forks Natural Area. The project site is in unincorporated King County just northeast of the City of Snoqualmie. The surrounding area is primarily rural residential and undeveloped lands.

Figure 1: Reinig Road Revetment Site Map

In recent years, high river flows have damaged portions of the revetment. In total, the damaged portions extend approximately 775 feet and are situated across from where the South Fork Snoqualmie River joins the Snoqualmie River. These sections have little armor rock remaining at the face, and erosion continues to widen the damaged areas and is advancing into the riverbank toward the road. 

A long segment of Southeast Reinig Road runs adjacent to the Snoqualmie River east of the city. Two utilities run parallel to and within the road’s right-of-way: Puget Sound Energy power transmission lines and the Canyon Springs water supply main. Rock armoring along the riverbank protects the road and utilities from river erosion and channel migration.  

As service provider to the King County Flood Control District, King County plans to rebuild approximately 775 feet of damaged revetment. The reconstructed revetment will be designed to improve riverbank stability, increase resilience to river scour and erosion, accommodate future changes to the river channel, and provide a longer functional lifespan of the revetment. 

Figure 2: View looking west of Reinig Road Revetment and damaged areas

 

Figure 3: View of project area from opposite bank of Snoqualmie River

The project includes two primary elements: 1) reconstruction of the revetment and 2) installation of flow deflector structures. The revetment reconstruction includes re-grading the underlying riverbank to a lower slope angle, burying large rocks below the river bottom to inhibit undermining of the riverbank, placing additional rock on the lower face of the riverbank to resist bank erosion, and installing vegetated “soil wraps” above the rock to stabilize the upper river bank. A series of flow deflector structures will be constructed along the length of the revetment repair site. The flow deflectors will be designed to shift damaging high flows away from the riverbank and to accommodate natural, ongoing changes to the river channel in ways that do not jeopardize the integrity of the river bank and road.  

Project Goals

• Repair damages and improve stability of the revetment, reducing the potential for further erosion.
• Conduct repair in a manner that minimizes long-term maintenance needs and associated costs.
• Provide aquatic and riparian habitat benefits to the extent practicable.

Project Timeline

Benchmark	Date
Design and Permitting	Fall 2018 - Winter 2020
Construction	Summer 2021 - Fall 2021

 

Project Documents

Construction began in Summer 2021. A SEPA Checklist and Determination of Non-Significance were prepared.

The comment period for this action was Oct. 16 - 30, 2020.

• SEPA Checklist (910, KB)
• Determination of Non-Significance October, 2020 (PDF, 41.7 KB)
• Geotechnical Investigation Report (PDF, 6.80 MB)
• Public Safety Management Plan (PSMP (PDF, 1.04 MB)

The Environmental Checklist and Determination of Non-Significance for the Brockway Creek Culvert Replacement Project, which will serve as mitigation for impacts from the Reinig Road Revetment Project, are included below. Please submit your comments by email to Stella Torres, Project Manager, at STorres@kingcounty.gov. All comments must be received by April 22, 2022.

• Brockway Creek Culvert Replacement SEPA Checklist (PDF, 1.36 MB)
• Sustitución de la alcantarilla de Brockway Creek Lista de comprobación de la SEPA (PDF, 555 KB)
• Determination of Non-Significance March, 2022 (PDF, 192 KB)

About the King County Flood Control District

The King County Flood Control District is a special purpose government created to provide funding and policy oversight for flood protection projects and programs in King County. The Flood Control District’s Board is composed of the members of the King County Council. The Water and Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks develops and implements the approved flood protection projects and programs. Information is available at kingcountyfloodcontrol.org.

 

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For more information about the Reinig Road Revetment Repair, please contact Stella Torres, King County River and Floodplain Management Section, Water and Land Resources Division, Department of Natural Resources and Parks.