Contact: Will Hall, Director
Surface Water Management
Will.Hall@snoco.org
425-388-6410
Snohomish County Acts to Reduce Lake Flooding
EVERETT, Wash., February 13, 2017—In two emergency decisions today, Snohomish County is acting to address flooding at Lake Serene in Southwest Snohomish County.
Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers authorized emergency action to build a temporary drain. The temporary drain will prevent water from rising to a level that would flood county roads.
The Snohomish County Council introduced legislation to fund a permanent fix. The proposed solution is a new lake outlet to maintain water levels within the range that lakefront property owners have experienced in the past.
“This is a permanent solution to a tough problem,” said Somers. “We are acting now to reduce the risk of damage to public infrastructure. If the property owners agree to share the costs, the final project will increase protection for public and private property around the lake.”
Snohomish County Council Vice Chair Stephanie Wright represents the district that includes Lake Serene. “Flooding around Lake Serene has been a long-standing problem,” said Wright. “I am pleased to see a proposal for emergency fix, and a potential long-term solution.”
Under the legislation introduced today, the County’s surface water management utility would pay most of the cost to protect public property. Lakefront property owners would pay an additional $197 per year for ten years. That would cover the extra cost to reduce lake levels beyond what is required to protect county roads and public safety.
The County would own and operate the new outlet of the lake. It would be built next to the boat launch on Serene Way, bypassing an old pipe on private property that appears to have collapsed.
“Surface water management utility charges are used to improve drainage and water quality for everyone,” said Will Hall, Surface Water Management Utility Director. “When a specific group of people want a higher level of service, we want to help them. To be fair to everybody, property owners around the lake who get a special benefit are being asked to share in the cost.”