The King County Flood Control District will continue its collaboration with City of Pacific in protecting the people who live and work along the White River with additional flood protection this flood season.
King County is scheduled to begin work Monday, Oct. 3, to close the gaps in the temporary barrier at Pacific Park that provides increased flood protection to Pacific. 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 pleased with the level of proactive cooperation between King County and the City of Pacific,” said Flood District Supervisor Pete von Reichbauer, who represents Pacific on the Metropolitan King County Council. “The safety of our neighbors is the top priority of the Flood District board and we will continue to work collaboratively with the City of Pacific to find innovative ways to mitigate flooding risks along the White River.”
The HESCO barrier was installed as a temporary flood protection measure along the White River following flooding in 2009. The work is expected to take three or four days, and residents can expect truck traffic, large equipment and crews working within construction areas.
In addition to the HESCO barrier, the County’s Water and Land Resources Division worked with eight homeowners in a voluntary acquisition area along the flood-prone area of southerly portion of the White River Estates. The county now owns the eight homes, which were salvaged for reusable materials and then removed to make way for the installation of additional flood protection barriers.
“As a small city with limited resources, we appreciate the continued support and collaborative efforts of King County Flood Control District working for the benefit of our constituents,” said Pacific Mayor Leanne Guier.
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 this area. As the channel fills with sediment, the chance the riverbank will overtop increases.
Residents can learn more about how they can prepare for flooding, including the use of sandbags to protect their property, by visiting kingcounty.gov.
