Protecting Communities with Future-Proof Flood Defense

The Fry Creek Pump Station plays a critical role in providing flood protection to over 5,000 properties in the Lower Chehalis Basin. Located in Aberdeen, Washington, where Fry Creek is the largest drainage basin with much of the surrounding area at low elevation, the community has historically been vulnerable to flooding, especially during storm events and high tides.

In the past, residential and commercial areas near Fry Creek have experienced flooding, impacting homes, businesses, roadways and critical facilities. In 1977, the City of Aberdeen constructed a 78 cubic foot-per-second pump station to manage flooding in these areas; however, this pump station struggled to keep up as storm and tide intensities continued to increase, and in 2018, a storm caused significant damage to the 47-year-old Fry Creek Pump Station. In response, Aberdeen worked with the neighboring city of Hoquiam, along with federal and state stakeholders, to secure funding.

In 2021, we were tasked to design a new, state-of-the-art pump station with a firm capacity of 300 cfs that reduces flooding by hydraulically separating the basin from tidal influences with four vertical propeller pumps. The facility also includes tide gates that account for future sea-level rise and fish barrel intake screens to protect aquatic life. In combination with the North Shore Levee project, the cities will see a significant increase in protection against future flood events.

Completed on time and under budget in the fall of 2024, this $21.9 million facility not only benefits the cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam by better managing floodwaters but also contributes to increased property values, more efficient use of public works resources, enhanced habitat conditions and improved recreational amenities. The new Fry Creek Pump Station is a testament to the collaborative effort to address and mitigate the impact of flooding in the region.