On August 20,2024, elected officials from the cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam, Port of Grays Harbor, and Grays Harbor County gathered with stat lawmakers and members from the Office of Chehalis Basin to celebrate the completion of the Fry Creek Pump Station. The Fry Creek Pump Station is a critical component of coastal flood protection and storm drainage. The pump station will control the flow of Fry Creek, which affects portions of both Aberdeen and Hoquiam during heavy rain and high tides, by closing the gates and pumping water out to Grays Harbor. Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, attendees witnessed the power of the pumps that can move 130,000 gallons per minute. At maximum capacity, the pump station could fill an Olympic-size swimming pool in five minutes.
Update May 2023 - After many years of ongoing work, funding coordination, and design work, the team leading the City of Aberdeen's overall flood relief efforts is making progress on the Fry Creek Restoration project and associated pump station. Both Fry Creek Pump Station reached final design in Spring 2022, a ground breaking was held on July 7, 2022 and construction started soon after. It is anticipated that construction will be completed Q1 2024. The Fry Creek Restoration project and pump station will improve the storm drainage systems in Aberdeen and Hoquiam so that they more effectively collect and transport runoff from heavy rain events, and significantly reduce the economic burden on the community caused by flooding. In addtion to providing flood relieve and resiliency for the community, these projects improve pedestrian mobility and wildlife habitat in the area.
About the Fry Creek Restoration Project
As the city have developed and changed over time, the Fry Creek channel, which runs along the boundry between Hoquiam and Aberdeen from Cherry Street south to Pacific Avenue, has been constricted. Today, the creek is a narrow channel passing through many culverts and under roadway crossings. The Fry Creek Restoration project aims to restore the creek to a more natural state so the creek can manage heavy rain events and reduce street flooding. Design elements will also include pedestrian improvments to encourage waling and enjoyment of the retored area.
Restoration project elements include:
Daylighting the creek by removing the underground culverts and street crossings at Aberdeen Avenue.
Building a pedestrian bridge at Aberdeen Avenue.
Replacing the existing culvert at Pacific Avenue with a larger culvert that will reduce flooding and provide for better fish passage.
Building a pedestrian walkway connecting Pacific and Aberdeen avenues
Enhancingthe bank of Fry Creek with native plantings.
Phases of Fry Creek Restoration Project (each phase has its own project name as listed below)
Fry Creek Corridor Analysis
Fry Creek Phase I: Simpson Avenue downstream to Bay Avenue
Fry Creek Phase II: Fry Creek Pump Station
Fry Creek Phase III: Simpson Avenue upstreem to Sumner Avenue
Benefits of Restoration project:
Improved habitat and recreational opportunities in and around Fry Creek.
Increasing property values and improving use of limited Public Works flood response resources.
About the Fry Creek Pump Station Project
The Fry Creek pump station project will replace the existing pump station with a large pump station to alleviate flooding issues in teh area and improve conditions for the wildlife. Once operational, the pump station will control the folow of Fry Creek through Aberdeen during heavy rain and high tides by closing two tide gates and pumping water over the North Shore Levee and out ot Grays Harbor.
Pump Station elements include:
Increasing pumping capacity by more than six times the current pump station capacity.
Installing new tide gates to help control water flow
Installing a fish screening system to protect salmon.
Pump Station benefits include:
Reducing flooding during heavy rainfall events by controlling the flow of Fry Creek through Aberdeen and Hoquiam.
Improving salmon habitats.
2021 State Capital Budget - $8,975,000 (American Rescue Plan Act Funds) for construction of the Fry Creek Pump Station. WA Dept of Commerce is the program administrator for these funds. Award Letter and program guidance is anticipated by September 1, 2021
2015-17 Funding -- $500,000 [Flood Authority authorized: $150,000 at their 4/21/2016 meeting (see 5/11/2016 FINAL signed funding agreement here); and $350,000 at their 10/20/2016 meeting (see 11/29/2016 FINAL signed funding agreement here).]
Project Financials -- See separate project financials website here.
Project Status --On-Track, Underway -- The Preliminary Design Report for the Fry Creek Restoration & Flood Reduction project was completed in August 2017. The Report identifies design and phasing alternatives for the lower creek system. Based on the Report's findings, the first phase of the project was selected to be the creek between Simpson Avenue and the railroad tracks. Final design of the first phase has been completed. Funding for construction ($2.215 million) was included in the State's 2017-2019 biennium capital budget through the Washington Coast Restoration Initiative. Final Funding for construction of Fry Creek Pump Station was included in the 2021 State Capital Budget ($8.975 million) through the American Rescue Plan Act ( ARPA). Final design was completed in late 2021, with contract award in Spring 2022, followed by construction starting in Summer 2022. It is anticipated that construction will be completed in first quarter 2024.
Background -- Fry Creek passes through developed urban areas of Aberdeen and Hoquiam before discharging to Grays Harbor. The creek channel has been filled in and constricted over time as the cities have developed, and today it is generally a narrow channel passing through many culverts and under roadway crossings. During high rainfall events, the flow exceeds the capacity of the channel and the creek floods adjacent urban residential and commercial areas, affecting homes, businesses, roadways, and vital operations such as the Grays Harbor PUD and Pacific Care and Rehabilitation Center. In addition to direct flooding, city storm sewers that are hydraulically connected to the creek surcharge when it floods, contributing to significant flooding in low-lying areas not immediately adjacent to the creek such as Cherry Street farther east in the City of Aberdeen.
The Cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam developed a comprehensive flood risk master plan – the “Timberworks Master Plan” – in 2016. The Master Plan identifies restoration and flood reduction measures for Fry Creek. Aberdeen is continuing the work begun by the Master Plan by restoring Fry Creek and reducing flooding by improving conveyance, storage, and outfall conditions in the creek system. Additional goals include habitat restoration and improved public access to Fry Creek.
The project will benefit the City of Aberdeen, City of Hoquiam, Grays Harbor PUD, Pacific Care and Rehabilitation Center, and many others.
Flood Hazard Reduction Benefits -- Project will benefit the Community through improved management of flood waters from Fry Creek thereby increasing property values, improving use of limited Public Works resources, improving habitat, and improving recreational amenities.
Schedule/Milestones:
December 2016 -- Consultant selected and under contract
December 2016 -- Surveying and design began
August 2017 -- Preliminary Design Report completed, first phase identified
December 2017 -- Final design of first phase underway
Fall 2021 -- Final design complete
Spring 2022 -- Bidding and Construction Award complete for Fry Creek Pump Station
Summer 2022 -- Fry Creek Pump Station Ground Breaking and Construction began
Spring 2024 -- Fry Creek Pump Station Construction anticipated to be completed in Spring 2024
Pictures
Elected Officials gather to cut the ribbon of the Fry Creek Pump Station
Phase 1 currently in final design (1/3)
Phase 1 currently in final design (2/3)
Phase 1 currently in final design (3/3)
Work continues at the Fry Creek Pump Station.
Progress continues at Fry Creek Pump Station with the formation of the outside wet well walls the week of May 16th, 2023.