The city of Bellevue has completed most of the work on a multi-year $4 million Coal Creek Stabilization Project to reduce erosion and sedimentation, reduce 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. During this time, miners dug out 11 million tons of coal and 4 million tons of waste rock, and millions of tons of these materials were piled along the slopes and banks of Coal Creek. The soils created by the coal material are more erodible than natural soils and have been carried to downstream reaches of the creek and beyond.

The last phase of the stabilization project focused on 1,400 feet of stream 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.