PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (WA) Spring Flooding in Washington

Date: Thu, 11 Apr 2019 12:22:33 EDT

Summary: Flooding is mostly confined to rivers along the Oregon and Idaho border and flows are generally receding from peaks that occurred in the last few days.

Flooding in Washington State is mostly confined to rivers along the Oregon and Idaho borders. Floodwaters are generally receding and only one gage is currently above flood stage, Walla Walla River near Touchet. Flows have peaked over the last three days. The largest flood in terms of recurrence intervals was probably Mill Creek which had about a 25-yr event. The South Fork Palouse River had close to a 10-yr event and other sites in the region had 2- and 5-year peak-flow events. Some flood damage and evacuations have been reported for Pullman, WA. No significant damage to streamflow gages have been reported.

Crews from our Mid Columbia Field Office (Kennewick, WA) and our Upper Columbia Field Office (Spokane, WA) have been busy over the last week in obtaining discharge measurements. The Mid Columbia Field Office is especially busy because it also covers NE Oregon where flooding is more widespread.

Washington WaterWach flood map