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Fort Dent Levee 2020 Repair
Learn about the planned levee repair that will occur along the Green River in 2026.
Construction updates
Construction will take place from June 15-Oct. 31, 2026.
The Green River Trail will be fully closed at Fort Dent Park during construction.
The main detour route is Interurban Ave S, there will be signage to guide trail users.
There is also a temporary trail in Fort Dent Park, but it will be intermittently closed during construction. The temporary trail is pedestrian-only (bikes should be walked) and is not wheelchair accessible.
The map below shows a visual of the closure.
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, 2020, and 2025. 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.
About the project
- Repairs damage to the levee reducing overall flood-related risk to people, property, and infrastructure and gives the river more room to spread out.
- Adds logs to create shallow water habitat where young salmon can rest and hide from predators.
- Adds new native trees and shrubs along the river bank to provide shade to the river, helping to lower water temperatures.
- Creates a more stable slope reducing the need for future repairs.
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 |
| June 15 to Oct. 31, 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.