Icy Creek
A priority acquisition for the Middle GreenRiver Coalition in the Green River Basin. It has been identified as a priority acquisition in King County’s “Last Best Places in the Green River Watershed”,State Parks Green River Gorge Preservation plan, the WRIA 9 Steering Committee, and by King County Executive Ron Sims.
Key Features
190 Acres of forested uplands along the last wild section of the Green River Gorge. It protects the instream flows of Icy Creek. Icy Creek is a year round spring fed stream with flows of 40-60 Cubic Feet per Second. It has been classified as a source of clear cold pathogen free water that feeds the Green River. Chinook, Coho, and Steelhead spawn at the mouth of Icy creek as it enters the Green River.
It also protects numerous springs that feed into the Green River. There are 5 or more springs that either directly flow into the Green River or flow into Icy Creek from the gorge walls below the Icy Creek uplands.
It is also part of the last undeveloped upland view corridor on the Gorge and would provide an upland wildlife and trail corridor. It is part of a larger band of continuous open space from the foothills to the city of Auburn. It abuts Hanging Gardens State Park to the east and by other land owned by Palmer Coking and Coal to the west. That adjacent land (Bass Lake / Icy Reach is targeted in King County’s “Last Best Places in the Green River Watershed”. That adjacent land would serve as the reach between Icy creek and the Bass Lake Complex.
By preserving the uplands it would provide a route for a regional trail from Flaming Geyser to Kanasket State park. It would also separate development from the Gorge and enhance the survival of wildlife in a rapidly developing area.
It is high quality habitat for bear, cougar, bobcat, elk, deer, coyote, heron, bald eagle, osprey, and hawks.
It has existing historic trails as well as a network of hunting, horseback, mt. bike, and hiking trails. The trails offer spectacular views of the Gorge, Icy Creek, and wildlife. There are many spur trails that lead to established fishing areas.
The land is currently owned by Palmer Coking and Coal and is planned for development with the permit process on 92 acres complete.
Middle Green River Coalition and King County raised $600,000 from King County Conservation Futures and REET (Realestate Excise Tax) funding.
State Parks recently received an Interagency for Outdoor Recreation grant to purchase the area of Icy Creek targeted in their Green River Gorge Preservation Plan.
Unfortunately King County and State Parks have been unable to reach an agreement with the landowners on the price of the property. The funding acquired has been moved to other projects and the $300,000 in REET funding was reallocated by King County which currently leaves us with no matching funds.
We are confident that future funding and support will continue but letting King County amd State Parks know that this project is supported by local communities is key to maintaining and building their support.
The preservation of Icy Creek is currently supported by MGRC, the cities of Enumclaw, Covington, and Black Diamond, State Parks, Department of Natural Resources, Dept of Fish and Wildlife, and the WRIA 9 Steering Committee, and King County and State elected officials. It is also supported by many recreation and conservation organizations.
Icy Creek Falls II Photo by Lisa Parsons