Engineering Department Creek Photographs and Slides
Scope and Contents note
During the 1990s, biologists at the Seattle Water Department undertook the photo-documentation of Seattle's Creeks. Represented in this collection of 10 binders are North Seattle Creeks such as Thornton Creek located in the Lake City neighborhood, and Venema and Piper's creeks located in Carkeek Park. South End and Central Seattle creeks such as Taylor, Fauntleroy, and Lowman's creeks are also represented. This collection is an in depth look at subjects concerning Seattle's numerous watersheds such as erosion, water quality, drainage, construction, the state of tributaries and detention ponds, dams, bridges, and culverts. Also, this collection offers a look at creek maintenance, slide damage, equipment, soil testing, and other activities undertaken by the utility department to keep Seattle's watershed functioning and serving the citizens of the city.
Dates
- Creation: 1987-1999
Creator
- Seattle (Wash.). Water Dept. (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access note
Records are open to the public.
Historical Note
The Engineering Department (SED) maintained the City's streets and bridges, designed and oversaw construction of public works projects, provided traffic and transportation planning, and operated the sewer and solid waste utility. The position of City Surveyor was created in 1873 to survey the City, establish boundaries and street grades, and administer condemnation processes. This position was renamed City Engineer in 1890. In 1931 the Engineering Department absorbed part of the Department of Public Utilities and in 1936 it assumed the responsibilities of the Department of Streets and Sewers and the Traffic Department. In 1997, the water, solid waste, drainage, and wastewater utilities from the Engineering and Water departments were merged with the Engineering Services Division of SED and the Customer Service Call Center and Construction Engineering Sections of City Light to form Seattle Public Utilities. The traffic and transportation functions of the Engineering Department were consolidated in the Seattle Transportation Department.
Full Extent
2 Cubic Feet (8 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Photographic documentation of Seattle's creeks, including activities undertaken by the Water Department to test and improve water quality.
General Note
Fish returning to Piper's Creek, circa 1996
Subject
- Seattle (Wash.). Water Dept. (Organization)
- Seattle Public Utilities (Organization)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Drainage -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Environmental Conditions
- Erosion -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Landslides -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Public Utilities
- Rivers -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Storm water retention basins -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Water and water rights
- Water quality -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Water utilities -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Wetlands -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Title
- Guide to the Seattle Water Department Creek Photographs and Slides 1987-1999
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Julie Viggiano and Julie Kerssen
- Date
- Š 2006
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
- EAD Location
- http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv32160
Repository Details
Part of the Seattle Municipal Archives Repository