Orville Road Floodplain Protection at Kapowsin Creek
Orville Road Floodplain Protection at Kapowsin Creek - Orting, WA - 9850 64th St. W. University Place, WA 98467
Amount Requested: $4,000,000
The funding would be used for the construction of increased floodplain protections on Orville Road by Kapowsin Creek in Pierce County. This road is a primary lifeline arterial road and is a lahar evacuation route for nearby residents. Increased floodplain protections would reduce flood risks along the road by reducing channel migration and increasing the number of floodplain engineered log jams (ELJs) – which mimic natural channel functions and create salmon habitats by encouraging side and off-channel refuge during flooding. This project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because it provides long-term flood protection and environmental benefits. Traditional levees and revetments require costly repairs to maintain functionality. Engineered log jams are self-sustaining and would recruit new woody material from the river and surrounding forest. This project would therefore enhance the local riparian forest, increase carbon sequestration, and improve ecosystem health. Additionally, salmon are intrinsically linked to the economic and cultural value of the region. By mimicking natural river functions, the project would act as flood attenuation space by storing water, which would ultimately create new habitats for salmon. This project would provide the capacity to manage future high flows expected from climate change, reducing future flood risk and associated costs.
Federal nexus: 16 U.S. Code sections 590a-590d and 590f-g