King County sheriff closes part of Cedar River because of log jams

King County Sheriff Sue Rahr closed a four mile stretch of the Cedar River because the river has become too dangerous for recreational users. The river is closed between the eastern end of Southeast Jones Road at the Maple Valley Highway, and 154th Avenue South, which is the western end of Jones Road at the Maple Valley Highway or state Route 169.

March 23, 2011 8:30 pm
King County Sheriff Sue Rahr closed a four mile stretch of the Cedar River because the river has become too dangerous for recreational users.
King County Sheriff Sue Rahr closed a four mile stretch of the Cedar River because the river has become too dangerous for recreational users.

King County Sheriff Sue Rahr closed a four mile stretch of the Cedar River because the river has become too dangerous for recreational users.

The river is closed between the eastern end of Southeast Jones Road at the Maple Valley Highway, and 154th Avenue South, which is the western end of Jones Road at the Maple Valley Highway or state Route 169.

There are four life-threatening log jams in this part of the Cedar River.  The most dangerous is upriver from the River Bend Mobile Home Park at 17410 S.E. Maple Valley Road.  Here the river changed course during January 2011 flooding, taking down many standing trees and creating a very significant log jam.  The entire river flows over, under, around, and through the jam.  Unsuspecting kayakers or other persons floating the river could easily be pulled under the logs by the currents and drown.  Or their floats could get hung-up in the logs, necessitating a very hazardous rescue.

Two other areas involve logs spanning the river, and there is a spot where a narrow channel is filled with logs and other debris.

The four mile section of the river will remain closed at least until flows drop and the King County Water and Land Resources Division and the sheriff’s office assesses the situation.  Additional efforts to respond to the hazardous conditions can then be implemented.

Only the county sheriff can close a river.  It is a criminal misdemeanor to violate the order.  The closure will be enforced by the sheriff’s office marine unit, who are posting warning signs this week.