Surface Water Management Division |
 Toppenish 1996 |
Since 1894 the Yakima River has flooded 47 times, since 1970 the area was declared a national disaster 8 times due to flooding. The Naches River and several tributaries experienced flooding at the same time of the Yakima River flood events.
Flood Control Zone District
On January 13, 1998, the Board of Yakima County Commissioners established the Yakima Countywide Flood Control Zone District. "The purpose of the Flood Control Zone District (FCZD) will be to address flood management needs within the county. The activities of the district could include, but are not limited to, flood warning and emergency response, flood proofing and elevation of structures, property acquisition, implementation of consistent development regulations that recognized the impacts of flooding, basin wide flood planning, and the identification, engineering, and construction of capital projects to mitigate and/or address flooding problems".
Limited resources will be available during the first few years of district operation. The county will direct its efforts towards planning and managing activities that will protect public property, the coordination and development of county wide comprehensive flood
hazard management plans that are consistent with reducing the potential for flood damage, and demonstration projects to correct emergent flood related problems. RESOLUTIONS: INTENT FORMATION CONTINUATION
Flood management initiatives to address specific private property issues are expected to be addressed by the establishment of sub zones within the Flood Control Zone District. Additional details are contained in the FCZD brochure.
Are you in a flood zone? Maps & National Flood Insurance Program information. |
Upper Yakima River Naches River Ahtanum-Wide Hollow |
Flood control improvements (as defined in the FCZD RCW’s) can be categorized as:
Facilities - These typically include flood control “works” such a levees or floodgates designed to provide a specific level of flood protection. The majority of flood control works are constructed in cooperation or partnership with other agencies such as the Corps of Engineers, the NRCS (historically), or the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Construction or Demolition Projects – These projects typically seek to reduce flood hazard by improving floodplain function or removal of structures has or has a high likelihood of being damaged by floods. Construction projects that do not result in permanent facilities would include projects such as channel relocation, channel expansion, or alteration of floodplains to increase flood water storage or conveyance. Demolition projects can include the demolition of structures such as repetitive flood damage structures (including roadways or other infrastructure), old or abandoned levees, and old or abandoned irrigation diversion or distribution facilities.
Floodplain Storage and Conveyance Preservation Projects - This type of project will normally involve acquisition of fee simple or other rights to property. These projects will usually be located in the FEMA floodway in detailed study areas, or in other high hazard areas in non-detailed or unmapped floodplains only after study and documentation of the hazard. The primary purpose of any real property or property rights acquisition shall solely be for flood hazard reduction and mitigation purposes consistent with the District’s goals and objectives and the District’s authorities.
Other FCZD projects
The Yakima County-wide Flood Control Zone District performs a variety of actions to reduce flood hazard within the County.
Among these are:
-
Preparation and implementation of Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plans (RCW 86.16)
-
Remapping and maintenance of the Flood Insurance Rate Maps within the County.
-
Studies and inventories related to floodplain function, channel and floodplain processes, and monitoring the effects of floods during flood events.
-
Cooperation with other jurisdictions in water quality, quantity, and habitat plans and projects within the Yakima Basin as a whole.
-
Review of development proposals for consistency with flood and stormwater plans covered by RCW 86.15
Ownership, maintenance and maps |
Completed, in progress and in planning |