Green River Valley Odds Get Better

By Michael van Baker

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Aerial view of Howard Hanson Dam courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Last week, because of successful repair work to the Howard Hanson Dam, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cut the risk of the Green River valley flooding this winter from 1-in-3 to 1-in-25. That's a significant improvement, although normal odds are 1-in-140.

Even with the wild, wet weather the past few days, the USACE has not needed to let the dam's reservoir fill appreciably. (Here are recent dam inflow/outflow numbers.) Besides, with the repair work, the USACE now says the dam's reservoir level could rise to above 1,206 feet in elevation without fear of damage to the dam. And the Green River itself is nowhere near a flood alert stage .

Still, if you live in the area, keep this Green River/Howard Hanson Dam information page bookmarked, and it may not hurt to pick up the free sandbags King County is offering.

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Tags: green river, howard hanson dam, flood, sandbags, reservoir, usace, repairs + add tags

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