University of Washington Bothell students are instrumental in researching and creating several influential reports for 21 Acres. This Report, Historical Geographies of Local Water Forms, was prepared for 21-Acres  by Chris Black, Diego Graziano, Linh Ton and Thomas Wang in June 2008.

Executive Summary

The historical geography of local water forms contains several sections. The first section covers the methods that were used to research and collect data. The next section contains the findings of the report. The Sammamish River has been altered by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and King County from its original form for purposes of logging transportation, flood control and boating from the late 1800’s until about 1964 which brought the river to its current depth and form. Originally, the river was 30 plus miles long and 5-10 feet shallower. The impact of these changes over the years has adversely impacted the vegetation, wild life including their habitat, and overall health of the river.

The naturally meandering creeks and rivers that once flowed through our cities have been systematically altered, and sometimes re-routed entirely, in order to suit the needs of our society. Hydrological reformation such as this is typically spearheaded by the ACOE, as well as local and county governments, in order to provide the people with benefits such as farm irrigation, flood prevention, and easement for highway expansion and human sprawl. Rivers that once meandered slowly throughout our valleys have since been straightened, widened, and deepened, to accommodate the surrounding civilization.

 Hydrological reformation has its benefits, but it also comes at a price. The surrounding wetlands, which play an integral role in environmental stability, are almost entirely eradicated from the straightening of rivers. The loss of these wetlands, which serve as a habitat for important local wildlife, has a detrimental impact on the local environment. The river ecosystem is also disturbed from the loss of the protective wetlands as we often see river temperatures rise dramatically, an increase in water pollutants, and a struggle for marine wildlife to thrive as it once did. Unfortunately rivers don’t exist in a vacuum. They flow through many counties and directly impact the wellbeing of many cities, making hydrological reformation a concern for all citizens.

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