Update on the Howard Hanson Dam

The following information is copied from an e-mail written by Michael Mactutis with the City of Kent, Public Works/Environmental Engineering department in response to these questions: Is there any ‘news’ on the levees? When will the sandbags be removed? Have engineers sampled our levees to see if they need to be re-consructed before they can be certified?

Mike's Response:
It has been a good little test. There have been areas of minor damage that have been spotted, and we are watching those. No areas of major damage have been found on the levees.

The dam held approximately 38,000 acre feet of water at the peak (about half of the storm in Jan., 2009), and it is releasing it now. The volume in the reservoir is now down below 20,000 acre feet. I have not had any word of problems at the dam. The river in the valley rose to 11,000 cfs at its peak and is now in the low 8000’s. When the river level goes back down, King County Flood Control District Staff will perform a full inspection on the levees. King County staff are continuing patrols on the levees today. The City had patrols for several days while the level was above 10,000 cfs and the Corps also had 24-hr. patrols on the Green River through this week. Even with the eyes we have on the levees, please do not hesitate to call us or the King County Flood Warning Center if you see anything unusual on the levees.

We are in the final stages of executing contracts with consultants to examine four reaches of levees, including the reach along The Lakes. That is the longest reach, extending 2.75 miles from the SR 516 crossing downstream to the S. 231st Way Bridge. The certification reports for these four reaches will be complete and submitted to FEMA in June. Three certification reports were submitted to FEMA in 2010 for levee reaches upstream of SR 516, and we are working through those with FEMA and will be able to use those to have the other four done more quickly. Other agencies have spent several years going through the certification process with FEMA, but we are optimistic that we will be able to get it done quicker.

Shortly after the consultant contracts are executed, which for your levee should be the first week of February, there will be soil borings taken along the levees. That information will be used to determine factors of safety for freeboard, erosion, seepage, sloughing, and resistance to earthquakes. There are also studies that are already started related to biological assessments of the levee projects and historical research of the areas along the river. These things are all required by FEMA as part of the certification package.

As the consultants complete their geotechnical studies over the next few months, we will know much more about what repair or upgrade work it will take to certify the levees and how much that will cost but it still remains to be seen whether will FEMA accept the consultants’ recommendations.

We are also working very hard to get additional state and federal funding to help offset the costs. The costs of certification will likely exceed the City’s entire stormwater utility fund by several times. The work that has already been turned in to FEMA and levee segments that have gone under construction could not have been done without State funding that we were able to get two years ago. We have met with the Governor’s staff as well as our local state and federal representatives quite a few times to make sure they completely understand the impacts of the Howard Hanson Dam and the Levees on the valley businesses and residents and have all their questions answered.

I am assuming you have heard about the upcoming public meeting regarding the FEMA flood insurance maps, but in case you haven’t – the meeting in Kent is on February 7 at 6 to 8 pm at the Kent Senior Center. FEMA and the City will be having short presentations followed by an open house with tables where people can ask questions and pick up maps showing the proposed flood plain. The meeting in Auburn is at 6 pm next Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Dick Scobee School and in Renton at 6 pm at their City Hall next Thursday. Here is a link to more information. If it hasn’t already gone out, there will be a post card going out in the mail early next week to all the mailing addresses in the Kent Valley. I hope to see you there!

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ken/news/114320934.html

Regarding when the bags can be removed, it will be up to the Corps of Engineers to tell us when the dam is back to full working capacity. They are working on improvements to the drainage system within the dam abutment, and that work will continue through the summer. When the completed work is tested and responds satisfactorily, the local agencies will be able to remove the bags.

Thank you Mike and the City of Kent for allowing us to share this news!

Tacky Sweater Day 2010

We had another stiff round of competition at this year's annual tacky sweater/comfort food potluck. Here's Ken showing off his creation:


Shannon also put forward an impressive effort and installed lights in her sweater (including a giant battery pack). Alas, the grand prize went to Debi whose crystal lights and jingle bells creation actually had a twin, worn to elementary school by her daughter on the same day who not only helped Debi make this one but is encouraging her teacher to start their own tacky sweater day! We loved that this was a family effort.


Let me take a moment to introduce you to the real star of our show: The Trophy. Carefully crafted by Maria and myself three or four years ago (in about 5 minutes from the dollar store), each year's winner is required to donate a bauble from their sweater to the trophy. Looking good!

Tune in next year as we shine, jingle, and spend a day getting odd looks in public in pursuit of the tackiest sweater. Hope everyone had a safe holiday season.