Flood Safety News: July 2024 View this email in your browser  Passing the Baton for Flood Safety “Where we stand today – poised to establish a single, unified district with modern flood safety purposes and sustainable revenues – is the result of sustained effort and compromise by leaders across our region, state, and nation. It is the result of countless people’s ongoing and commitment to flood safety.”– Ken Anderton, MCDD Board President  The Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District is Operational!For the past 107 years, four Drainage Districts – Multnomah County Drainage District, Peninsula Drainage District #1, Peninsula Drainage District #2, and the Sandy Drainage Improvement Company – managed the flood safety system in northern Multnomah County. Beginning July 1st, 2024, a single, unified agency called the Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District (UFSWQD) will take over management of this system. This consolidation will result in a more efficient governance structure and reflects the fact that the flood protection infrastructure functions as one system. This District will take a more comprehensive approach to flood safety, including expanded use of nature-based solutions to flooding, and a greater focus on preparing for climate change, improving social equity, and honoring the cultural history of flooding in the area. Because a dry floodplain benefits the entire region, the new agency will collect operating revenue from nearly all of Multnomah County, resulting in a safer, more reliable system. On June 7th, 2024 the Multnomah County Drainage District (MCDD) Board President formally recognized the significant contributions of the historic Districts in a letter to the UFSWQD Board of Directors. MCDD Board President Ken Anderton symbolized the transition by passing the flood safety baton – a physical baton made of recycled pipe with the engraving “Passing the Baton for the Next Century of Service” – to UFSWQD Board President Steve Fancher. Read the Letter Here Learn More about the UFSWQD Join the Board of Directors!  As we move forward into the next century of flood management, the Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District will be led by a new Board of Directors comprised of 5 elected positions and 4 governor-appointed positions. Starting in January 2025, this board will lead the strategic direction of the UFSWQD – an agency well poised to take over the management of this system with a sustainable operating revenue, new responsibility areas, and a significant regional investment in capital projects made possible by the passage of Measure 26-243. This is an exciting leadership opportunity for anyone interested in flood safety, emergency preparedness, equity, and environmental justice & conservation. The time commitment is estimated to be 6-10 hours per month, with an optional monthly stipend of $400. Learn more about Joining the Board Fill out the Board Member Interest Form Bike the Levees!     Join the Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District and the Columbia Slough Watershed Council on our annual Bike the Levees event! Bike the Levees Marine Drive to Historic Vanport Explore the region’s flood safety infrastructure by bike, and learn about the past, present and future of flood safety! Learn more about the planned upgrades made possible by the passage of Measure 26-243. Hear stories from Ed Washington, a Vanport survivor, and a life-long civic leader. When: Wednesday, July 10th from 5:15pm – 7:45pm Route: Slow-paced, 12-mile route. Meet near the Cascade Station MAX Stop, end near the Delta Park MAX Station Dinner will be provided! Register Here for Bike the Levees District Project Updates  13th Avenue Discharge Lines Construction The 13th Ave Pump Station provides important drainage services for the East Columbia and Bridgeton Neighborhoods, ensuring that these areas stay dry during rain events. This project rehabilitates two discharge lines that allow stormwater to connect safely and efficiently from the flood protected areas to the surrounding natural waterways. Construction on this project will be completed by the end of September 2024. Measure 26-243 will fund additional upgrades to this pump station to increase pumping capacity and add a back-up power source.  Gate Tower Inspection The managed floodplain has a series of cross levees which serve to control and isolate high water in the case of a flood event. There is a section of the cross levee adjacent to NE 223rd Ave that does not meet federal safety standards. The valves that should regulate the flow of water between the Blue Lake Basin and Salmon Creek are stuck in the open position, which could lead to uncontrolled flooding if either side of the cross levee experiences flooding. Measure 26-243 will fund the replacement of the inoperable valve structure or “gate tower” and will repair or replace the culverts as needed based on a conditions assessment. This summer, District staff are deploying contractors to clean and inspect the pipe. This inspection will help engineers develop a design for the rehabilitation or replacement of the pipes and the control valve structure.  Improved Technology for Climate Preparedness This past spring, our Engineering Team has successfully measured the depth of the Columbia Slough at various locations to better model how our pump stations will perform under different storm events. This will help us be better prepared for more frequent and severe storm events in a changing climate. Follow the Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Our Mission: We equitably reduce flood risk and prepare for and respond to flood emergencies by maintaining levees, conveying water when necessary, and finding innovative and nature-based ways to live with more water around us while supporting community safety and the region’s economic vitality, contributing to the health of the river and watershed, planning for a more climate-resilient future, and promoting equity in all we do. Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality DistrictCopyright © Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District, all rights reserved. |
East Columbia Neighborhood Association 