Lincoln Creek drains a relatively small, urbanized watershed (approximately 1 square mile) located entirely within developed portions of the City of Auburn. Set within overall plans for a creative and multi-use park and preserve, a daylighted Lincoln Creek has become the central feature for this visionary community resource. Previously the creek was conveyed in a pipe through the park project site. The design of the restored creek segment considers physical processes (hydrology, hydraulics and geomorphology), biological processes (setting and opportunities for aquatic and riparian habitat enhancement) and integration of restoration design with other project features and objectives (amphitheatre, trails, interpretive signs and programs, sculpture park, woodland restoration and protection, etc.). Our services included development of the hydraulic and geomorphic basis of design, final design documents for the step-pool based channel reconstruction, permitting, bidding and construction support.

PWA provided engineering plans for the removal of the existing culvert and the design of the stable, regionally and geomorphically appropriate creek channel. The daylighted channel features comprehensive channel realignment, in-stream structures such as riffle-pools and step-pools, biotechnical bank stabilization, and integration with other important elements of the proposed park. PWA designed areas adjacent to the stream to flood during high flow events thereby providing detention storage on the site, which in turn may reduce peak flow rates downstream of the site. A reduction in peak flow rates may assist with meeting a secondary project objective to reduce downstream flood hazards in areas of Old Town Auburn.