The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District, has nearly completed construction of the temporary berm within the SR530 slide area. Though the berm is complete in length, construction efforts have now shifted to raising the berm an additional foot ahead of predicted heavy rainfall.
The additional height is expected to help reduce potential flooding risks, and the Corps is maintaining close coordination and communication with Snohomish County officials as recovery workers continue to search the area.
The 3,000-linear-foot berm, made from 20,000 tons of rock, gravel and earthen materials, was constructed under difficult conditions. Work on the berm began only a week ago. It was built through areas of deep water and has been accessible only via a gravel road by a USACE team and workers from Snohomish County public works.
The temporary berm is located near mile post 37 at C Post Road and is used to help recovery workers pump out water from a search area, reduce flood impacts and prevent near-term flooding of State Route 530. The berm is a temporary flood prevention measure designed to prevent flooding under normal spring runoff conditions.
[mappress]
Press Release, April 17, 2014