Flooding in Lakewood

The City of Lakewood is proactively preparing for extreme weather conditions. The city is working with state, federal and tribal partners to plan for worst-case scenarios like 100-year floods. This includes in its Springbrook neighborhood where Clover Creek runs and along the Nisqually River Delta.


Clover Creek Floodplain

In the event of a 100-year flood, floodwater from Clover Creek may reach certain properties in the Springbrook and Hillside neighborhoods. Severe flooding could compromise Interstate 5 just north of the Bridgeport exit into Lakewood.

There is not necessarily an immediate risk, but the City is proactively contacting affected properties and researching engineering solutions.


Nisqually Delta

A bend in the Nisqually River, “Wah-He-Lut” curves upwards towards I-5. This bend may compromise I-5 within 15 years. Image courtesy of Google Maps.

South of Lakewood, Interstate 5 passes through the Nisqually River Delta. A massive flood in 1996 blocked this major north-south connector through our state, halting all traffic. A riverbend at Wah-He-Lut is shifting and may encroach the interstate in 15-20 years. The City of Lakewood and Nisqually Tribe are leading the formation of a regional partnership to prioritize this issue.