Pierce County officials marked the completion of a stormwater pond in the Fir Ridge neighborhood south of Bonney Lake during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday afternoon.

The pond was built during the summer and fall. A drainage pipe was also installed along 205th Avenue to route runoff to the new pond from the adjacent Cedar Ridge neighborhood.

The two developments and existing stormwater pond were built in the 1980s. The existing pond would receive almost all the runoff from the 170 residential lots and roads within the development. During heavy storms, the pond would flood adjacent properties.

“The new pond and pipe were installed to reduce flooding in two neighborhoods,” said Harold Smelt, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities surface water manager. “This facility will provide additional stormwater storage, and clean up stormwater for a safer environment.”

At the new pond, existing native trees and shrubs were retained wherever possible, and new trees and plants were added to improve wildlife habitat. Over the years, the vegetation will give the pond a much more natural look than older stormwater ponds.

The project cost $650,000, including property acquisition. Funding came from Surface Water Management utility service charge funds. Lloyd Enterprises, Inc. was the project’s contractor.

More information about the project is available online at piercecountywa.org/firridge.

Pierce County recently completed work on a stormwater pond in the Fir Ridge neighborhood south of Bonney Lake. (PHOTO COURTESY PIERCE COUNTY)

Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy (far right) joined Public Works staff and neighbors during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday afternoon. (PHOTO COURTESY PIERCE COUNTY)