Des Moines officials advance estuary restoration concepts to balance salmon habitat, flood resilience and park access

Des Moines City Council Environment Committee members on Jan. 9 reviewed preliminary designs for the Des Moines Creek Estuary Restoration Project, hearing staff and consultants describe options to expand estuary habitat, reduce frequent tidal flooding of the meadow and retain public access and a connection to the Des Moines Marina.

The presentation, led by Surface Water Manager Tyler Beakley and project manager Alex Johnson, described a staff-preferred alternative that would open the mouth of Des Moines Creek, remove sections of hard armoring and create intertidal marsh and backshore planting while raising portions of the upland meadow so park features remain usable more often.

The plan responds to sea-level projections and recent tidal events that flooded the park. Project engineer Nikki Redden said modeling that accounts for sea-level rise to the year 2100 shows a range of future flood frequencies: an elevation similar to a December 2022 king tide is expected annually at the site in 2100, a higher band similar to December 2024 could occur once a month every other year, and a still-higher band could inundate areas past the pedestrian loop “once a month for seven months of the year.” That outlook, she said, makes a low- or no-action alternative unlikely if the city wants to keep current park uses.

Consultant Paul…