South Thornton Natural Drainage System (NDS) Project
Enhancing our communities with natural drainage systems.
Welcome to the South Thornton NDS Online Open House!
When it rains in Northeast Seattle, pollution from our streets runs into Thornton Creek untreated. This is not healthy for the creek or for people. The good news is that there is something we can do!
Natural Drainage Systems consist of shallow depressions built in the roadway shoulder (the space between the street edge and the property line) and are filled with deep-rooted plants and spongy soils that temporarily hold and clean polluted stormwater from streets. These features capture and clean pollutants before they can reach Thornton Creek.
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is planning to build natural drainage systems in your neighborhood in 2022. This project is being led by SPU and includes funding from the King County Flood Control District.
Explore this site to:
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Learn about stormwater, why it's a problem, and how NDS can help
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Understand the project background including site selection, community input, and timeline
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View the 30% site designs
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Share your feedback on the 30% site designs