Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 20:52:10 EDT
Summary: There have been no significant changes since yesterday: the North Fork Stillaguamish River continues to flow across the natural dam that formed due to a large landslide and the water continues to gradually erode a larger channel.
There have been no significant changes since yesterday: the North Fork Stillaguamish River continues to flow across the natural dam that formed due to a large landslide and the water continues to gradually erode a larger channel.
Two buoys were deployed that will measure lake levels and transmit the data to a public website (http://wa.water.usgs.gov/data/oso.html). The data cannot be viewed on the web yet.
A turbidity sensor and non-contact (radar) water-level sensor are planned for the North Fork Stillaguamish River at Arlington gage. We are exploring the feasibility of installing a third rapid deployment gage, to be located in the lake area.
At the request of FEMA, starting Monday a USGS scientist will be stationed at FEMA's coordination center in Bothell, WA, to provide assistance, as needed.
USGS scientific and public affairs personnel were on site today to assist as needed.
Heavy rains are expected through Sunday, which will accelerate erosion of the natural dam. Catastrophic failure of the natural dam is considered unlikely but conditions will be monitored closely.