Flood protection achievements outlined in King County Flood Control Zone District report

Tens of millions of dollars slated for projects across King County

The completion of five repairs to flood protection facilities damaged in the November 2006 federally declared flood disaster are highlighted in a new King County Flood Control Zone District quarterly report that was issued today.

These repairs represent nearly 30 capital improvement projects that will be completed this year to protect lives and property in King County from flood damage with funding from the King County Flood Control Zone District. The district is the flood control entity created to ensure funding for the county’s plan to improve aging and inadequate flood protection facilities.

“We are pleased that we have the expertise and knowledge of county staff who are making tremendous progress on improvements vital to the safety of people and property during flood conditions,” said King County Flood Control Zone District Board Chair Julia Patterson. “We believe it isn’t a question of if there will be another major flooding event, but when it will occur. We want to be prepared.”

The report, submitted by King County’s Department of Natural Resources and Parks to the Flood Control Zone District, also highlights collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the design and implementation of nine critical levee repair projects in the Green and Snoqualmie river basins totaling more than $20 million. It showcases acquisition of the Cedar Grove Mobile Home Park along the swift-flowing, flood prone Cedar River near Maple Valley, where 41 occupied mobile home units are at significant risk to flood hazards.

“The King County Flood Control Zone District is providing much needed funding to rebuild our aging flood prevention infrastructure,” said Supervisor Reagan Dunn, chair of the District’s Executive Committee. “Significant progress has been made in our ambitious work program to reduce flood risk countywide – and more work is under way.”

Near the City of Snoqualmie, one project included the removal of a blockage on Kimball Creek that caused water levels to rise behind blockage and flood adjacent properties. The resulting natural reservoir has already improved stream flow, reduced water levels, and improved storm water storage capacity for this fall’s rainy season.

“We asked for the tools to get ahead of future flooding impacts and undertake projects to prevent them where possible,” said King County Executive Ron Sims. “We did that, and also brought several jurisdictions together to collaborate on how best to implement these projects before this year’s flood season. The hurricanes along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts are a vivid reminder of what flooding can do to people’s lives and the regional economy and the need to keep more King County residents and property safe this storm season.”

King County implements the flood plan through an interlocal agreement with the King County Flood Control Zone District, which is a municipal corporation formed by the Metropolitan King County Council in April 2007 to fund the backlog of capital improvement and repairs to King County's aging system of 500 levees and other flood protection facilities.

King County staff in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Water and Land Resources Division compiled the quarterly report, which meets a requirement in the Interlocal Agreement between King County and the King County Flood Control Zone District.

Related Information:

Flooding Services and Information

River and Floodplain Management Section

Water and Land Resources Division