In July 2013, work began on the largest in-river flood protection project since the creation of the King County Flood Control District in 2007. On Nov. 5, representatives from the King County Flood Control District joined the City of Auburn in celebrating the completion of that project, an enhanced Reddington levee that will protect hundreds of homes and businesses near the Green River in Auburn for decades.
“The Reddington Levee directly protects several major transportation corridors and more than 300 residential properties and 275 commercial properties with a combined value of $680 million,” said Flood Control District Chair Reagan Dunn. “This project clearly demonstrates that the Flood District is working hard to protect county residents and businesses from flooding.”
“I have looked forward to the completion of this important project in the City of Auburn, as it will protect the residents and businesses in surrounding areas for generations to come,” said Flood Control District Supervisor Pete von Reichbauer, whose district includes the city of Auburn. “My top priority is to ensure the safety of my community from the rising threat of flooding by completing similar projects along the floodplains in South King County.”
The levee project was managed by the Water and Land Resources Division of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, and funded by the Flood Control District at a cost of more than $17 million.
Over the last 16 months, the leaky old, constrictive Reddington Levee was demolished and a new levee, farther back from the river, was built. The new levee makes room for flood flows to fan out and lose their erosive force, while creating areas for improved fish and wildlife habitat.
“In Auburn, the Reddington Levee protects nearly 600 properties valued at $680 million near the Green River. The river is also a sensitive ecosystem providing habitat for salmon and other wildlife while its banks provide recreation for our citizens,” said Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus. “Maintaining this balance requires many partnerships and I am grateful that the City of Auburn has been able to work collaboratively with the King County Flood Control District to upgrade this 50-year-old levee.”
The scale of the project is impressive. Roughly 160,000 cubic yards of soil were excavated on a project that also involved construction of a 4,800 foot long setback levee with trail, 48,000 tons of riprap (rock armoring), 340 logs, 4,270 feet of pipe and planting of more than 18,000 trees and shrubs.
The Reddington Levee Setback Project is part of a larger overall flood management strategy by the Flood District and King County Water and Land Resources Division for the entire Green River, which includes the Hawley Road Levee, Boeing Levee, Black River Pump Station and Briscoe-Desimone Levee.
