CITY OF DES MOINES SHORELINE MASTER PROGRAM

Des Moines Shoreline Inventory and Characterization
material. Such obstructions include human-built structures such as bulkheads, breakwaters,
groins, docks, and boat ramps. In areas where the beach is depleted, erosion accelerates.
Owners of property adjacent to the shore commonly construct rock or concrete bulkheads to
protect the bank or bluff from erosion. Such measures can increase beach depletion as wave
energy is reflected rather than absorbed. The shoreline processes and conditions along Des
Moines are summarized in the Net-shore Drift of King County (Chrzastowski, 1982) which
updated the coastal drift section of the Coastal Zone Atlas of King County (Ecology, 1979) and
are currently being reevaluated by Johannessen and others (personal communications) in work
underway for WRIA 9 and WRIA 8. Specific conditions in Des Moines are discussed in the
section of this report titled Nearshore Physical Characterization.
Historic Land Use Development
The Des Moines area was traditionally used by Native Americans for salmon fishing and
clamming in the streams and shoreline before European settlement. Europeans began to arrive in
the early 19th century, first as explorers and later as settlers. The first homestead claim
certificate in the Des Moines area was granted to John Moore in 1872. In 1889 the plat of the
Town of Des Moines was recorded (Des Moines Historical Society, 2004).
Land use in the area has always focused on the shoreline. By the early 20th century the Puget
Sound had become a busy waterway as Seattle and Tacoma grew as port cities. The Sound
provided transportation for recreation, food, and natural resources. During World War I, Des
Moines became a destination for summer visitors, many of whom built large homes. Also at this
time an existing dock was enlarged to accommodate a ferry that made runs between Vashon
Island and Des Moines. Food and recreation continued to be the main attractions in the 1920’s
and 1930’s. Des Moines Beach Park and Salt Water Park were developed during this time (Des
Moines Historical Society, 2004).
During and after World War II the population of Des Moines boomed. The City was officially
incorporated in 1959. Commercial development in the upland areas was further spurred first
when Highway 99 (Pacific Highway South) was built in the 1920’s, and then when Interstate-5
and its associated interchanges were built in the 1960’s. Development in recreation continued as
well. In the 1970’s the City built the Marina and fishing pier.
Development along the Des Moines shoreline has historically been dominated by single-family
housing. Today the City is highly developed, predominantly by single-family homes, with multifamily,
and commercial areas located in the Downtown/Marina area, along Pacific Highway, I-5,
and arterial streets such as the Kent-Des Moines Highway (City of Des Moines, 2002). Figures
6a and 6b show the current city limits and surrounding area in 1942 and 2002 respectively. The
air photos illustrate two important points in characterizing the Puget Sound shoreline in Des
Moines. First, development at the water’s edge has been in place for decades (see the downtown
Des Moines, Zenith, Woodmont, and Redondo areas in 1942). Second, upland development
throughout the Des Moines area watershed has removed vegetation and increased impervious
surface area. These conditions are characteristic of western King County and the Puget Sound
shoreline. The City’s development and urbanization have resulted in increased stormwater
runoff and peak flows with associated flooding and increased pollutant loads in streams. These
conditions affect fish and wildlife habitat and natural stream morphology. The City is expected
Page 12 March 2005