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Fort Dent Levee Repair

Learn about the planned levee repair that will occur along the Green River in 2026.

Project overview

The Fort Dent Levee is located on the right bank of the Green River in the City of Tukwila.

The Fort Dent Levee is located in the City of Tukwila on the right bank of the Green River when looking downstream. This levee reduces erosion and flood risks to the Green River Trail, Fort Dent Park, and Starfire Sports.

The Fort Dent Levee was damaged by flooding in 2019 and 2020. The King County Flood Control District, together with King County as service provider, is planning to repair and stabilize the levee in 2026. This project is expected to be completed by 2026.

Repairing this levee reduces flood risks to people and property. Timely action may also minimize damage to fish habitat and prevent the need for costly emergency repairs. Construction will include planting native plants to provide shade and improve fish habitat, and to help reduce long-term maintenance needs and costs.  

What is a levee? 

A levee is a raised structure built along a riverbank to contain, control, or divert the flow of water and protect the land along the river from temporary flooding. A levee is usually made of earth and runs parallel to the course of a river.

Project goals 

  • Make levee repairs to minimize future maintenance costs and reduce flood risks to people, community resources, and infrastructure.
  • Provide habitat benefits to fish and wildlife, including Endangered Species Act-listed Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout, and by adding vegetation to provide share and slope stability to the levee in place of invasive blackberry.
  • Limit disruptions to community use of the Green River Trail, Fort Dent Park, and Starfire Sports during construction. 

Project schedule

 Date Activity
 2021 to 2026

Design and permitting

 Summer to fall of 2026 Construction
 2026 to 2027 Site monitoring and project close out

Construction impacts

King County is working to limit the impacts of construction. Construction will temporarily impact use of the Green River Trail, however, there will be detours in place for Green River Trail users.

We will continue to update this webpage with impacts to roads, sidewalks, trails, or parks in the area as the project moves through design and permitting. We will also post signs and flyers near the project site and notify local businesses and residents before and during construction. To receive updates, please sign up for the project email list. 

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