The Ballinger Automotive culvert is located on Lyon Creek at the intersection of Ballinger Way NE and NE 185th Street in the City of Lake Forest Park (Milepost 31.30 on SR104). Lyon Creek, a tributary to Lake Washington, is known habitat for Coho, Sockeye, and sea-run Cutthroat. Chinook and steelhead are presumed to be present. Lyon Creek is identified in the Draft WRIA 8 Reconnaissance Assessment as a creek that is known to have barriers to fish passage that contribute to the decline of Salmonids in the Greater Lake Washington Watershed. The concrete box culvert collapsed and washed sediment downstream during the large storm event in last December 1996/January 1997. This culvert is a partial barrier to fish passage at high and low flows (Analysis method per the WDFW Fish Passage Barrier Assessment and Prioritization Manual, 1998.) The proposed culvert replacement design includes removal of debris and installation of a new aluminum box culvert with a cobble bed and meandering low flow channel. If funding is received, daylighting portions of the creek will be considered. This project will improve fish passage by removing debris from the failed culvert and providing an oversized culvert with natural streambed material. Approximately 2,528 meters (8,190 feet) of stream habitat will be opened up by this project. Daylighting part of Lyon Creek would provide additional benefit for migratory species.
