Keeping Stanwood dry takes priority

Published 10:00 pm Monday, February 16, 2009

STANWOOD — For many people near the mouth of the Stillaguamish River, the January flood was the worst of the worst. Mix together 30 inches of snow, high tides, heavy rain, strong winds and one of the longest and highest river crests ever and you’ve got a big mess.

Stillaguamish Flood Control District commissioner Tristan Klesick, a farmer who lives in the lower river valley, believes it’s time now to talk about better preparation for the next big flood, whenever it comes.

Klesick is especially concerned about his neighbors who live on what is called Florence Island south of Stanwood. It’s the land between the old channel of the Stillaguamish River and Hatt Slough, which carries most of the river’s volume out to Port Susan. Those on Florence Island were hit hard by the flood, he said.

At a meeting earlier this month, Klesick and his fellow commissioners offered people in the district a chance to talk about their experiences in January’s flood and share some ideas about how to better handle floodwater. More than 60 people showed up with their praises and criticisms, he said.

The flood control district was formed after the devastating 1990 flood in order to maintain dikes and levies and improve drainage in the valley, Klesick said. District officials hope to enlist the help of Snohomish County, the city of Stanwood, the Army Corps of Engineers, the state and even the Forest Service in continued flood control efforts. Discussion topics could include limiting development in the flood plain, watching logging practices upriver and fixing drainage on the hillsides above the river, he said.

“We want to be a good partner to all these jurisdictions,” Klesick said. “We are part of the community of Stanwood.”

Some of the farmers at the district’s recent meeting expressed concern that in efforts to keep floodwater out of downtown Stanwood, city officials may have created drainage problems for those who live south of town, Klesick said. The floodwater had no place to go but across their property, he said, and emergency services personnel performed seven water rescues.

City officials did what they had to do to protect hundreds of people downtown, Army Corps of Engineers regional team leader Norman Skjelbreia said.

While he sympathizes with those who live south of the city limits, Skjelbreia said he would have advised Stanwood officials to do exactly what they did. To deal with flooding, the city constructed a temporary berm along Highway 532; repaired Larson Dam over Irvine Slough, a drainage ditch that runs parallel to the highway; and constructed a temporary dam across the railroad tracks under the highway.

Stanwood public works director Andrew Bullington also defended the city’s response to the flood. Bullington, who could not attend the flood protection district’s recent meeting because of illness, said the city wants to be a good neighbor to the entire community.

“We can work together in all the areas where the city has responsibility, funding and the ability to do something about flooding. Right now the city is struggling with funding,” Bullington said. “We’re open to listening to new ideas, but we would like to know what the county and the state can do.”

The January flood should be a catalyst to getting all jurisdictions in one room to talk about flood control, County Councilman John Koster said.

“It’s the right thing to do now,” he said.

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, gfiege@heraldnet.com.

The Stillaguamish Flood Control District is scheduled to meet at 7:15 p.m. Thursday at the Stanwood Library, 9701 271st St. NW. More information: chairman Chuck Hazleton at 360-652-9233.