Pacific City Park along White River open for public use

HESCO seasonal flood barrier removal restores access to popular riverside park

April 25, 2019 3:30 pm
King County works with the city of Pacific to remove HESCOs at Pacific City Park when the threat of severe seasonal flooding has passed and replaces them each fall in advance of flood season. REPORTER FILE PHOTO
King County works with the city of Pacific to remove HESCOs at Pacific City Park when the threat of severe seasonal flooding has passed and replaces them each fall in advance of flood season. REPORTER FILE PHOTO

Public access to Pacific City Park along the White River has been restored as crews have removed temporary flood barriers placed at the riverside park’s entrance.

The King County Flood Control District funds the barrier removal project. During the winter, these barriers, called HESCOs, help protect Pacific from seasonal flooding.

“This seasonal flood protection barrier continues to enhance the safety of Pacific’s residents and businesses, and I am eager to continue working with the city of Pacific, under the leadership of Mayor (Leanne) Guier and the City Council, on a long-term solution to reduce the community’s risk of flooding from the White River,” said Reagan Dunn, chair of the King County Flood Control District’s Board of Supervisors.

“Protecting people and property from flooding is our top concern,” said Pete von Reichbauer, King County Flood Control District supervisor. “Pacific has made it safely through another flood season, and the park is once again accessible for the community to enjoy.”

“We appreciate the continued partnership between the city and county to ensure that Pacific remains safe for residents, businesses, and visitors during flood season, and we always look forward to the re-opening of the park in the spring,” said Pacific Mayor Leanne Guier.

The HESCO barriers were first installed as a seasonal flood protection measure along the White River following flooding in 2009. King County works with the city of Pacific to remove the HESCOs at the park’s entrance each April, when the threat of severe seasonal flooding has passed, and replaces them each fall in advance of flood season.

The Flood Control District is also working with the community to provide long-term flood protection to Pacific.

The District continues to work on the Pacific Right Bank Flood Protection Project, to substantially reduce the potential for White River flooding in the City of Pacific and improve environmental conditions along this portion of the White River from the BNSF Railway south to the King-Pierce county line.

Interested stakeholders are encouraged to participate in this process. To learn more, visit kingcounty.gov/Pacific-Right-Bank.