Crews prepare for flood protection work along White River in Pacific
Published 4:02 pm Wednesday, October 7, 2015
For the Reporter
For the sixth consecutive year, Pacific residents who live along the White River will have additional protection this flood season, thanks to a temporary flood barrier that will soon be in place.
King County is scheduled to begin work on Monday to close the gaps in the temporary barrier at Pacific Park that provides increased flood protection to the city. The work is funded by the King County Flood Control District and the barriers, known as HESCOs, are provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“I am happy that King County and the City of Pacific are working together to be proactive in order to protect the Pacific community during flood season,” said Flood District Supervisor Pete von Reichbauer, who represents Pacific on the King County Council. “Ensuring the safety of our neighbors is our top priority”, therefore, we will continue to work together to prevent disasters like the massive flooding that took place in 2009.”
“The Flood Control District is moving forward with a long-term plan to reduce flooding around Pacific,” said Reagan Dunn, chair of the King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors. “In the meantime, these temporary flood barriers will protect those who live along the White River. I am appreciative of the continued positive collaboration between the Flood Control District and the City of Pacific.”
The HESCO barrier was installed as a temporary flood protection measure along the White River following flooding in 2009. This work is expected to take three or four days, and residents can expect truck traffic, large equipment and crews working within construction areas.
“The City of Pacific genuinely appreciates the collaborative work with King County, the Flood Control District and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers to protect life and property during the flood season,” said Pacific Mayor Leanne Guier. “The citizens of our community can rest assured every effort is being made to avoid an event like the flooding of 2009. We look forward to working with the Flood Control District as we proceed with the levee project along the White River.”
The White River is notorious for the high sediment load it carries from Mount Rainier. The river segment alongside Pacific is particularly vulnerable to gravel deposition and rapidly changing conditions because of the natural drop in channel gradient through the area. As the channel fills with sediment, the chance the riverbank will overtop increases.
The Flood Control District is moving forward with two levee setback projects along the river that will reconnect more than 120 acres of floodplain to the river channel, giving the river room to fan out and deposit sediment.
Residents can learn more about how they can prepare for flooding, including the use of sandbags to protect their property, by visiting www.kingcounty.gov/floodservices.
