Nov. 12, 2006

Contact: Nola Leyde 206-764-6896

SEATTLE - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is decreasing releases from Mud Mountain Dam from 10,000 cubic feet a second (cfs) to 3,500 cfs today to remove debris from the flood storage project. Large trees in reservoir from the flood event have a potential to block releases from the dam and need to be removed.

Those living along the White River can expect to see the river levels significantly decrease this afternoon, but they will slowly rise this evening back to the higher levels. The debris removal operation is expected to last until 3 p.m. today. Even though river levels have decreased, the flows will slowly rise again to the moderately high levels. At 9 p.m. the releases from Mud Mountain Dam are expected be back up to 9,500 cfs. It can take hours for residents to see those impacts along the river.

Predictions of precipitation throughout the next several days have resulted in an aggressive release of water at Mud Mountain and Howard Hanson dams, flood damage reduction projects. The Corps expects to continue the moderately high releases through Wednesday to create space for flood damage reduction operations with the forecast of more wet weather coming into soggy Western Washington river basins.

Fluctuations due to rainfall or debris in the river can also cause a rise in river levels. Residents and those monitoring the rivers should report any flooding to local emergency management officials.

Rivers in the area are expected to continue to run high. The Corps' Seattle District Reservoir Control Center and Emergency Operations Center will continue to operate throughout the weekend. For up-to-date river forecasts, go to http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nws/hh/index-j.html. The National Weather Service issues flood watches and warnings and should be consulted for that information.