By Steven Schauer, Deputy Executive Director
The King County Flood Control District (KCFCD) is committed to protecting residents and infrastructure from flooding risks and promoting environmental resilience. A prime example of this commitment is the Herzman to Camp Freeman Project along the Cedar River. This initiative, formerly known as the Herzman Levee Setback Project, is an essential step toward enhancing flood protection and supporting habitat restoration in the Cedar River basin.
“This important project will not only strengthen flood protections for our communities,” said Michelle Clark, KCFCD Executive Director, “but it will also restore critical habitat along the Cedar River. By investing in flood risk reduction and environmental resilience, we are safeguarding the well-being of residents and enhancing the natural landscape for generations to come.”
Project Overview
The Herzman to Camp Freeman Project spans a half-mile stretch along the right bank of the Cedar River between Renton and Maple Valley, about four miles east of the I-405/SR 169 interchange. This project was identified as a critical need in the 2017 Cedar River Capital Investment Strategy and is part of ongoing efforts by King County to support flood control on behalf of the KCFCD.
This section of the river includes several key facilities—the Herzman Levee, Camp Freeman Revetment, and a portion of the Buck’s Curve Revetment—which reduce erosion and flood risk to nearby homes and Southeast Jones Road. Additionally, the Cedar River Trail Site 2 (CRT2) Revetment on the left bank safeguards State Route 169, the Cedar River Trail, and crucial underground utilities.
The 2020 Flood and Project Necessity
The need for flood protection in this area became even more apparent after a significant flood event in February 2020. During this flood, the Cedar River dramatically altered its course, abandoning its channel adjacent to the Herzman Levee and instead cutting across the floodplain. This change caused up to 80 feet of erosion along the floodplain downstream, which escalated risks to local homes and Southeast Jones Road. The upstream portion of the Herzman Levee also sustained damage, leaving the riverbank in a precariously steep condition.
These shifts in the river’s flow and erosion patterns heightened the urgency to restore and stabilize the levee and surrounding infrastructure. As the project team assesses the current conditions, plans are underway to repair the damaged levee and revetments to prevent further risks.
Project Goals
The Herzman to Camp Freeman Project aims to achieve several key objectives:
- Reduce Flood and Erosion Risks: By reinforcing the levee and revetments, this project will decrease flood and erosion risks to critical infrastructure, homes, and local roads, ensuring greater safety for the surrounding community.
- Reconnecting the Floodplain: Restoring the connection between the river and its floodplain allows floodwaters to disperse naturally, reducing velocity and encouraging natural habitat-forming processes.
- Enhancing Native Vegetation in the riparian corridor.
- Integrating Project Efforts: In alignment with the Riverbend Levee Setback and Floodplain Restoration Project, the Herzman to Camp Freeman Levee Setback Project is part of a larger regional approach to flood management, habitat restoration, and sustainable land management along the Cedar River.
Synergy with the Riverbend Levee Setback Project
The Herzman to Camp Freeman Project builds upon previous efforts to reduce flood risk in the area. In summer 2022, bank stabilization at CRT2 was reinforced as part of the Riverbend Levee Setback and Floodplain Restoration Project. Both projects are being coordinated to maximize flood risk reduction and improve habitat connectivity, working in concert to create a safer, more resilient Cedar River ecosystem.
Looking Ahead
The Herzman to Camp Freeman Project represents a proactive approach to flood risk management and environmental stewardship. By prioritizing both flood protection and habitat restoration, the KCFCD and King County are creating a safer and healthier environment for residents and local wildlife alike.