Army Corps flood teams complete three flood fight projects

Published May 19, 2018
Flood teams from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers strengthened a section of the Lost River levee in Mazama, Wash.

Flood teams from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers strengthened a section of the Lost River levee in Mazama, Wash.

SEATTLE—Flood teams from the Seattle District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, have completed three projects in the last 24 hours.

Engineers finished strengthening a section of the Lost River Levee and the Mazama Levee in Mazama, Washington, and completed raising a section of Rodeo Track Road at the request of the Colville Confederated Tribes.

Teams continue to work on raising a section the Oroville Road in Oroville, Washington. Work also continues in Okanogan, Washington, in Clark Fork, Idaho, and in Plains, Montana. Crews continue work on the Tonasket sewer lift station in Okanogan County, on a flood berm in Pend Oreille County and the 1st Street Levee in Okanagan, Washington, and the Sanders County Levee in Montana. Teams are providing technical assistance to Missoula County, Montana; St. Maries, Idaho; Yakima County, Stevens County and Pend Oreille County, Washington; Twisp, Washington; and the Kalispel and Colville Confederated Tribes.

The Seattle District has provided about 1,460,500 sandbags so far to Okanogan County, Pend Oreille County and Tonasket in Washington; Missoula County in Montana; Bonner County, Idaho; and to the Kalispel and Colville Confederated Tribes. USACE has provided 2,800 Supersacks to Missoula County and Okanogan County, and four pumps to the Okanogan basin. USACE is also sending 2,400 Lf Hescos to Pend Oreille County.

Warm temperatures combined with above normal snow levels have created a situation where Pend Oreille River flows downstream of Albeni Falls Dam are likely to remain above flood stage through the 10-day forecast period and beyond. Flows on the Pend Oreille River and Lake Pend Oreille are now forecast to meet or possibly exceed 2011 levels. Albeni Falls Dam operational information is available on line at: 

http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Locks-and-Dams/Albeni-Falls-Dam/

Corps of Engineers’ officials warn boaters and the public to be safe and watch out for floating or submerged logs or debris on Lake Pend Oreille. For safety purposes, all of Albeni Falls' boat ramps are closed including Riley Creek's. The Corps’ swim beaches are all closed for swimming. There is no re-opening scheduled yet.

Flood fight teams are coordinating with the States of Washington, Idaho and Montana. Agency representatives will continue to coordinate with the Tribes, counties and cities along the rivers.

Public Law 84-99 authorizes USACE to provide flood fight assistance at the request of local officials when rivers are at or above flood stage and local resources are fully used.

Private citizens seeking sandbags should contact their local government offices.  

USACE coordinates closely with the National Weather Service. The Weather Service issues flood watches and warnings and should be consulted for that information.


Contact
Mike Glasch
402-427-4903

Release no. 18-042