Leary Way Regional Stormwater Treatment "Wetland"

Leary Stormwater Run-Off Treatment Facility "Wetland" under construction

As you drive into Redmond on Leary Way you'll notice construction of a large earthen "lake" to the east. It's actually one of five new regional stormwater treatment facilities the city is building to service Redmond's downtown. This wetland facility will drain Leary Way, 198th, and Bear Creek Parkway. The 6 month floods will will drain into the Sammamish River. The city is calling it a "wetland". 75 trees will be planted around the facility. The Redmond Dept. of Natural Resources will plant native shrubs and aquatic plants in two feet of wetland mix soil throughout the pond. You can see the impermeable plastic liner under the soil -- to keep the water close to the plants. Some day it may look and function like a wetland. To get the straight scoop on this project, city planner Kelsey Larson may be able to help you.

Redmond's Senior Stormwater Engineer Steve Hitch designed this innovative project and had the following to say about it:

The City project at Leary Way & 159th Place NE is a future Stormwater Treatment Wetland. The pond was lined with a PVC geomembrane so it will not leak. Stormwater will flow through the pond to remove sediment and other pollutants, with help from biological contact with the wetland plants. The pond must be lined so that the water is treated before being released to the environment, and so that the wetland plants are kept wet. The pond will look a bit messy as they bring in the topsoil that will overlay the liner and until they plant the pond, but the contractor will be required to keep any muddy water from being released to the river. 10-08-08

View a 4 Min. video clip of the stormwater wetland pond under construction here .

For technical information on stormwater treatment wetland facilities visit: Stormwater Wetland Facts.