White River reaches Phase III flood alert level as flood-control dam releases raise flows

The aftermath of this week’s heavy tropical rainstorm continues to affect rivers across King County. The King County Flood Warning Center, which has been in continuous operation since mid-afternoon on Jan. 6, has issued a Phase III flood alert level for the White River. The river is expected to remain at high flood levels for the next several days.

As of 5 p.m., White River below Mud Mountain Dam was flowing at 10,600 cubic feet per second (cfs). At this level, debris flows and residential flooding will occur in scattered neighborhoods below the dam, which has been holding back a significant flood flow from entering the heavily impacted Puyallup River system.

Meanwhile, the neighboring Green River remains at a Phase II flood alert level, but is expected to jump up to a Phase III flood alert level later tonight as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to create more flood-storage capacity upstream of Howard Hanson Dam in the upper Green River watershed.

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 10 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