Surface Water Management Division

Snohomish River Comprehensive Flood Control Management Plan

The purpose of the Snohomish River Comprehensive Flood Control Management Plan was to establish County policies which will guide construction and maintenance of levees and the overall flood protection needs of the valley, including cities.  The plan was a collaborative effort of Snohomish County, Snohomish River diking districts, the Tulalip Tribes, valley cities, environmental organizations, and other affected agencies. 

The Snohomish River valley has a great deal of unique fish and wildlife habitat.  For this reason the plan was developed giving high priority to preserving and enhancing riparian habitats. 

The major elements of the plan include: level of protection (levee profile), design standards, maintenance standards, flood fight policies, habitat enhancement/flood control projects, levee improvement priorities, land use, and implementation.

The Plan was approved by the Washington Department of Ecology in June of 1991.  Snohomish County Council adopted the Snohomish River Comprehensive Flood Control Management Plan in January 1992.  In addition, the diking districts signed an agreement forming the Coordinated Diking Council to serve as an forum where continued levee maintenance and improvements could be performed in a coordinated manner.

Since adoption of the plan, levee improvements to the  planned  profiles have been completed  for:

• Diking District 13
• Marshland Flood Control District
• French Slough Flood Control District
• Diking District 1 (Ebey Island)
• Drainage District 6 was dissolved by the County Council and no longer functions as a drainage district. 

Contact

Chris Nelson, Hydraulic Engineer, 425-388-3464, extension 4696