DES starts two-month study around Capitol Lake

| By DES Communications

A portable drilling rig sits on a green lawn with a blue sky background.
Drill rig at north end of Capitol Lake during 2024 field work.

Work will support Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project design.

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) and its project team will collect soil and sediment samples around and in Capitol Lake starting April 24 as part of the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Project. The work will help DES complete the next phase of the design process by December 2025.

The work is expected to last two months, depending on weather and conditions. Work will take place Monday through Friday during business hours. The project team will drill holes to collect samples and evaluate their makeup and the underground conditions. The information the project team collects will support structural design, including roadways, bridges, walkways and habitat berm.

Impacts to the community will include temporary rerouting or closures on the pedestrian walking path around the lake and along Olympic Street; noise during working hours; and road flaggers to ensure safety for drivers and cyclists at roadside collection locations. The public can expect to see a drilling machine, construction materials, and field staff. DES will post signage to inform the community about the work and trail impacts.

A map showing the locations where soil and sediment samples will be collected around and in Capitol Lake.

The fieldwork plan includes a one-day closure of the walking path near the Marathon Park bridge and drilling within Capitol Lake. DES will notify the public of those impacts once they are scheduled. Sign up for Capitol Campus email updates.

The fieldwork is supported with funding from Washington's Climate Commitment Act. The CCA supports Washington's climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.

DES is leading the project to restore Capitol Lake to an estuary. Restoring the Deschutes Estuary is the best option to resolve decades-long water quality issues and achieve standards; support regional transportation; improve habitat conditions and flood resilience; restore water access; and meet project goals and public needs.

DES is partnering with Floyd|Snider of Seattle on this project.

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