11/22/2009 10:12:00 PM Dosewallips Road narrowed by washout
The Dosewallips River Road in the gorge about two miles upstream from Brinnon needs emergency repair after being partially undercut by the raging river. This is a view from the road looking at the base of the slide. Photo by Andrea Mitchell
State-owned land by the Pleasant Harbor marina gave way to a washout, damaging the Fish and Wildlife boat ramp. The pavement on the road leading to the ramp is undercut and up to a foot of gravel covered the parking lot on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Andrea Mitchell
One lane of the Dosewallips River Road is open after the narrow two-lane route was partially undercut about two miles upstream of Brinnon.
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 20 issued a Declaration of Emergency so the Public Works Department could proceed immediately with repairs.
The washout is 2.3 miles from U.S. Highway 101, just before Rocky Brook Falls. Seton Construction crews have been working near the river to stabilize the slide below the road.
In January 2002, the raging river tore a 300-foot section from a sand and gravel bank at the 10-mile marker, and the Dosewallips River Road is still closed at that point. That big washout isolated a campground and Olympic National Park trailhead; the washout damage at the two-mile marker potentially isolates a lot of homeowners.
The Nov. 16-22 series of storms also resulted in some flooding along the Big Quilcene River. The Little Quilcene River spilled over its banks but was generally contained within the new meander zone.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife boat ramp at the Pleasant Harbor Marina just south of Brinnon has been damaged by an estimated eight-foot washout. The pavement on the road leading to the ramp is undercut and up to a foot of gravel covered the parking lot on Sunday afternoon.
The rain that fell Saturday night into Sunday contributed to ponds in low-lying pastures and yards from Port Townsend to Brinnon.
Updates on these and other flood-related damage will be provided when more information becomes available.
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