Dec. 9, 2025, 7:01 p.m.
King County crews are installing an emergency flood fighting measure known as a seepage blanket to help stabilize the Desimone Levee and reduce flood risks to nearby communities. The levee, located along the Green River, reduces flood risks to more than 30,000 people in Tukwila, Kent, and Renton.
Construction began on Dec. 9 and is expected to conclude on Wednesday, Dec. 10.
February 2020 floods caused significant damage to portions of the Desimone Levee. The seepage blanket will remain in place until construction on the long-term repair is completed, likely in 2031. The Desimone Levee Repair and Improvement project is sponsored by the King County Flood Control District.
While crews install the seepage blanket, construction vehicles may impact traffic to industrial businesses in the area. Traffic control will be onsite, and construction should not affect the broader community.
Flood flows for the Green River reached more than 12,000 cubic feet per second, as measured at the Auburn gauge, at 4:45 p.m. on December 9. Flood flows are expected to stay at this rate for several days. At this flow and duration, levees throughout the Lower Green can become saturated and weaken.
King County Flood Patrol staff are dispatched to monitor and inspect key locations on the Green River, including the Desimone Levee, when there are moderate or higher flood events. Stay informed about flood conditions on the Green River by signing up for free King County Flood Alerts.
Leave a Reply