Contact: Nola Leyde (206) 764-6896

Seattle – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects to continue the releases at Mud Mountain Dam through the day, according to normal flood damage reduction operations. A Pineapple Express over the weekend brought rain and warmer temperatures that brought heavy flows into the basin.

As of 11 a.m. this morning, Mud Mountain Dam was releasing 7,600 cubic feet per second (cfs). The Corps expects outflows to continue to increase and is expected to rise over 8,000 cfs. Fluctuations due to rain or debris in the river can cause a moderate rise in river levels. Residents and those monitoring the rivers should report any dramatic rise to local emergency management officials.

Mud Mountain Dam reduces floods in the lower White and Puyallup River valleys. During the November 2006 flooding, the Corps’ operation of Mud Mountain Dam reduced the flood stage downstream in Puyallup by more than 4 feet. Peak inflows to Mud Mountain Dam were 29,000 cfs.

The National Weather Service issues flood watches and warnings and should be consulted for that information. For real time information on river basins, go to the Seattle District Reservoir Control Center at http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nws/hh/index-j.html.