White River rising to Phase II flood alert level as flood control dam creates storage capacity

King County Flood Warning Center officials say the White River below Mud Mountain Dam could experience minor flooding later today because of water releases from the flood-control dam. The Flood Warning Center has been open since 4 a.m. Nov. 12 to monitor conditions on several rivers as heavy rain pelted much of the county.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates flood-control dams on the White and Green rivers, has said that it will release a flow of 8,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) from Mud Mountain Dam for the next several days to create additional water storage capacity behind the dam.

At this level, which is the threshold for a Phase II flood alert on the White River, residents in the Red Creek area could see overtopped roads and high water.

Meanwhile, the Green River is currently at a Phase III flood alert level as a result of water releases from the Corps’ Howard Hanson Dam in the upper Green River watershed. The Green River Valley above Auburn has experienced some minor flooding today as a result of the high flows.

Staff in King County’s Flood Warning Center, which has been open since 4 a.m. Wednesday, will continue to monitor stream gauges and weather reports and provide updated information on river conditions as necessary. Real-time river level information is available online at www.kingcounty.gov/flood.

Updated information on flooding will also be posted on the King County Web site at www.kingcounty.gov, and via RPIN, the area's regional public information Web site, at http://www.rpin.org. A recorded flood-information hotline is also updated each hour for citizens wanting information in flood areas. The number is 206-296-8200 or 1-800-945-9263.

Citizens who need help interpreting flood information should call 206-296-4535 or 1-800-768-7932. Problems on county maintained roads can be reported by calling 206-296-8100 or 1-800-KC-ROADS.

Related Information:

Flooding Services and Information

River and Floodplain Management Section

Water and Land Resources Division