Flooding worries rise with water

Drought concerns dry up as groundwater levels jump

LORRINE THOMPSON, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published December 28, 2001

THURSTON COUNTY -- The drought is over for some areas of Thurston County, which are in danger of groundwater flooding if rainfall continues to be above average in January.

Thurston County sent out about 900 advisories this week alerting residents to the flooding potential.

The locations most at risk are in the Salmon Creek Basin south of Tumwater, although a couple of areas in north Thurston County also are being monitored, said Scott Clark, senior planner with the county Water and Waste Management department.

While the county got a break from groundwater flooding last winter because of unusually low rainfall, continued above-average rainfall could bring back the flooding, which caused huge problems for some residents in the winters of 1998 and 1999, Clark said.

Rain deluge

Since Oct. 1, more than 29 inches of rain have fallen in the county, about 9 inches more than average. With that kind of rainfall, groundwater levels "came up pretty quick," Clark said.

In some parts of Salmon Creek Basin, groundwater levels are just 2 feet below the surface.

The good news is that groundwater levels have gone down in the last week because of the dry, cold weather, but the flooding danger still exists if heavy rain returns, Clark said.

Salmon Creek resident Chuck Cline said the heavy rains have made residents nervous. Although flooding has not begun, Cline said the drainage ditches are full of water.

"If we had any more rain like we had the previous week, we'd probably be in trouble," Cline said.

County help

The county has commissioned a groundwater study and model of the area to better plan how to address flooding.

And in the advisories sent out this week, county officials explain where residents can get sandbags and assistance with them, how to use pumps, how to test drinking water, and what to do if a septic system floods.

"We wanted to get the word out," Clark said.

Jim Bachmeier, county manager of utility development and special services, said groundwater flooding can cause different problems for different homeowners, and "there is no real easy solution to it."

Groundwater flood information

Information on groundwater flooding, including how to get sandbags and sandbag assistance, how to test drinking water, whom to call and more is available online at www.co.thurston. wa.us/SalmonCr.

Information is also available by calling the county's Water and Waste Management Department at 360-357-2491.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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