In 2009 the White River surged over its banks, flooded 100 homes, and caused more than 10 million dollars in damage. Water spread over a quarter miles to the west, reaching three feet in depth in parts of the White River Estates neighborhood. This was a surprise to the neighborhood as this wasn't a 100 year flood or even a 10 year event but just a heavy rain. King County realized that its flood maps were out of date. Residents learned that the diversion dam near Buckley to supply Lake Tapps couldn't be counted on to always drain off water during high flow events. The river bed was just naturally filling with sediment, so there was less and less buffer between normal flow and disaster.
During 2016 & 2017 King and Pierce Counties, along with several other groups, spent 24 million dollars to relocate and raise the levees along the White River here where it enters the Valley. The levees are now higher on both sides of the river and moved back from the river to allow more flood containment. These caches will take you along the east levee and should all be accessible except during the highest flood events.
 This cache was placed by a WSGA member. If you are a geocacher in the state of Washington, please consider joining Washington State Geocaching Association. See the WSGA website for details. |