Flood-control dam releases push Green River to Phase III flood alert level

The King County Flood Warning Center has issued a Phase III flood alert level for the Green River, which is expected to remain at high flood levels for the next several days as flood-control dam operators create additional storage capacity upstream.

As of 7:30 p.m., the Green River at Auburn was flowing at 9,080 cubic feet per second (cfs), just above the threshold for a Phase III flood alert level. At these flows, moderate flooding could be expected in the Green River valley upstream of Auburn and in the lower Mill Creek basin. Roads may overtop, including Southeast Green Valley Road and the West Valley Road.

The Green River and neighboring White River could both experience higher flows tonight and for several days to come as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases water from dams that have been holding back floodwaters for several days.

Stream flows elsewhere in King County continue to recede from their record high levels on the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers. The Snoqualmie River crested at about 6 a.m. in Carnation, while setting what is thought to be a new record high gage reading of approximately 62.31 feet. The Tolt River also set a record at its gage near Carnation, cresting at about 6 a.m. at a flow of 17,900 cfs, the largest flow since construction of the South Fork Tolt Dam in 1964.

Flood Warning Center staff will continue to monitor stream gages 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.

Flood patrol staff have also been in the field to more closely monitor conditions and report any emergency situations.

Updated information on flooding will also be posted on the King County Web site at www.kingcounty.gov, or via RPIN, the area's regional 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