U.S. Army Corps of Engineers expects to continue the moderately high releases at Mud Mountain and Howard Hanson dams through next Wednesday to create space for flood damage reduction operations with the forecast of more wet weather coming into soggy Western Washington river basins.
As of noon today Mud Mountain was releasing 10,200 cubic feet per second (cfs). Howard Hanson was releasing 7,460 cfs. The Corps expects outflows to continue steady, but fluctuations due to rainfall or debris in the river can cause a moderate rise in river levels. The Corps is preparing for more rainfall through the week, with heavier amounts expected Sunday night and mid-week. Residents and those monitoring the rivers should report any dramatic rise to local emergency management officials.
Corps flood engineers continue flood fighting on the Carbon River near Orting, Wash., and are still in Snohomish and Skagit counties, working with local communities to help with assessing damage to flood structures, make repairs and monitor saturated levees as waters recede. Next week the Corps will be back in Western Washington river basins assessing levees and flood control structures affected by the flooding to prepare for the next event.
During this record rainfall event the Corps had flood engineers in seven river basins, has distributed more than 300,000 sand bags and continues to supply materials, equipment and assistance to communities as requested.
The National Weather Service issues flood watches and warnings and should be consulted for that information.
The Seattle District Reservoir Control Center and Emergency Operations Center will continue to operate throughout the weekend. For up-to-date river forecasts, go to