The Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek Watershed Forum is hosting an open house Tuesday that includes a presentation by the cities of Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds  on the McAleer Creek Culvert Removal and Stream Bank Enhancement Project. The open house is scheduled for 2 p.m.  at the Nile Shrine Center, 6601 244th St. S.W., Mountlake Terrace.

This project has been identified as a high-priority action for the Lake Ballinger/McAleer Creek Watershed Forum, which includes the cities of Edmonds, Lake Forest Park and Mountlake Terrace and Snohomish County. The project will be jointly funded by the City of Mountlake Terrace and the City of Edmonds and will be administered by the City of Mountlake Terrace.

Culverts in McAleer Creek between the Lake Ballinger weir and Interstate 5 on the Nile property can restrict flow of the creek during large storm events contributing to flooding of properties on Lake Ballinger. The culverts also require periodic cleaning and maintenance and can present fish passage issues.

Removal or replacement of up to three culverts along with stream bank vegetation enhancements would provide storm flood mitigation for Lake Ballinger, assist with fish passage, provide habitat improvements, and reduce in-stream maintenance needs. The project would require obtaining permits from the city, state and federal agencies. Perteet Engineering of Everett has been hired to provide specialized expertise for work in the creek, habitat restoration and construction techniques that are needed to complete project permitting and design.

For more information on the McAleer Creek Culvert Removal and Stream Bank Enhancement Project, contact Mountlake Terrace Stormwater Program Manager Mike Shaw at (425) 670-8264 or Edmonds Stormwater Engineering Program Manager Jerry Shuster at 425-771-0220.