By Steven Schauer, Deputy Executive Director
Flooding is the most frequent and costly natural disaster in King County, and few areas feel this more acutely than the communities along the Cedar River. Flowing 45 miles from the Cascade Mountains to Lake Washington, the Cedar River winds through rural neighborhoods, suburban streets, and the urban heart of Renton. It nourishes fish habitat, supports recreation, and connects people across generations and cultures, including the Coast Salish peoples, who have called this region home since time immemorial.
At the same time, the Cedar River is dynamic and powerful. Its natural processes, from flooding and erosion to channel migration, can threaten homes, roads, parks, and critical infrastructure. In February 2020, one of the most damaging floods in recent memory underscored the need for stronger, more adaptive flood risk reduction strategies.
That’s why the King County Flood Control District (KCFCD), in partnership with King County as its service provider, is updating the Cedar River Capital Investment Strategy (CIS), which is a comprehensive plan to guide future investments in flood protection infrastructure and programming.
Cedar River CIS
Originally developed in 2017, the CIS helps the KCFCD prioritize projects that reduce flood risks while supporting salmon recovery, preserving public access to natural spaces, and improving recreational opportunities, along with implementing other multi-benefits. The updated CIS will address evolving conditions and incorporate lessons learned from recent floods, ensuring the KCFCD’s approach remains forward-thinking, community-centered, and resilient.
“The Cedar River Capital Investment Strategy is a critical tool in our ongoing efforts to protect lives, homes, and the environment,” said Michelle Clark, Executive Director of the King County Flood Control District. “We’re committed to building a safer and more resilient future for all who live, work, and recreate along the Cedar River. I encourage everyone to get involved and share their insights as we develop the updated strategy.”
CIS Goals and What’s Ahead
The updated Cedar River CIS focuses on reducing flood risk while maximizing benefits for people and nature. Over the next two years, the project team will:
- Evaluate existing conditions along the Cedar River corridor.
- Identify completed, planned, and new flood risk reduction projects.
- Reassess and reprioritize projects based on updated data and community values.
- Seek funding partnerships to support projects with habitat, cultural, or recreational elements.
- Conduct public outreach to ensure community voices, especially those most vulnerable to flooding, shape the final strategy.
The Cedar River CIS area includes 22 river miles, from Landsburg Road Southeast near Maple Valley to the river’s mouth at Lake Washington in Renton. Within this corridor, 69 levees and revetments are in place to manage flood risk. The updated CIS will take a fresh look at how these structures can be reimagined or enhanced to balance flood protection with ecological restoration.
Your Voice Matters
Together, we can create a Cedar River CIS that reflects our shared values of safety, resilience, ecological health, and community well-being. Join us in shaping the future of the Cedar River.
Please visit the online open house, which is designed to share information and gather input from the public. Whether you live along the river, use the Cedar River Trail, or simply care about the future of this vital waterway, your experiences and priorities will help shape the updated Cedar River CIS.
📝 Take the community survey and learn more about the project:
Visit the Cedar River CIS Engagement Hub
📧 Sign up for email updates
📞 Have questions? Contact Monica Walker, Project Manager: Monica.Walker@nullkingcounty.gov or 206-477-4843
