Chelan County has been proactive in reducing flood threats within the county. In 2017, the county adopted a Comprehensive Flood Hazard Management Plan, and just recently released their 2022 report on their Flood Control Zone District.
The report includes details of projects completed or in progress throughout the year. One of the most significant projects completed was the Slide Ridge project. It involved replacing an undersized culvert with a bridge, which cost a total of $3.2 million.
The FCZD financed the project with revenue generated from the taxing district it resides in, and a $1.3 million grant from FEMA. This was the largest construction project the FCZD has completed so far. Other projects included the No. 1 Canyon Debris Basins II with four basins designed to detain and release flood waters.
Also the completion of The Ski Hill Basin Analysis, outlining mitigation measures that should be implemented to reduce flooding impacts.
The county also added an emergency alert rain gage in the 25-Mile Creek fire parameter, updated the FCZD website, and continued public outreach efforts to residents.