Calistoga Setback - Would Like Your Thoughts

Would Like Your Thoughts:  Is the Calistoga Setback Levy a $17Million Dollar Solution or a Disaster?

As I head from Orting down Calistoga towards the veterans home and approach the bridge where the $17Million Setback Levy has been installed, I have seen the banks of the river built up on the left or east side of the bridge over the past several years to protect the home owners. Unfortunately, the city, county and state governments created a funnel for the river that is disastrous.

When I look at the river on the right or west side of the bridge, I have watched the river bed rise 17 feet over the past decade as rocks, trees and sediment have built up from the water rushing down from Mt. Rainier. Obviously, the city, county and state have concerns because there has been a continual build up of the bank on the right side of the bridge to protect the City of Orting. As a result, the engineering of the banks to protect the city has set up a scenario for the water to flood the farms across from the Soldiers Home.

Over the past year I have watched the installation of the Calistoga Setback Levy and recently the results. With the last flood watch, there was jubilation that the Calistoga Levy “Supposedly” past the test and saved Orting from flooding. However, my observations are far from jubilation.

Here are my concerns. It is my understanding that the new levy is projected to lower the water level by as much as 15 feet. However, that is not the problem. The problem is that the river bed has risen dramatically over the years and the levy has made the scenario significantly worse. As the water is funneled on the east side of the bridge and gains pressure it is carrying a significant amount of debris. As soon as the water passes under the bridge the levy has created a runoff to lower the water level. Unfortunately, the water pressure is diminished and there is not enough water pressure to push the sediment on down the river. As a result, the river bed has risen two feet since the installation of the Levy. The question that comes to mind is, “How long will it be until the river bed is completely clogged and we have a serious flooding issue?”