Mount Rainier National Park Mount Rainier National Park

55210 238th Avenue East 

Ashford, WA 98304

(360) 569-2211

The Flood of 2006 Report

2007 & 2008 Updates

March 2009
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

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Contents 

2007 Update 

 Introduction ............................................................................4 

 The Flood ................................................................................6 

 The Emergency Response ......................................................7 

 Assessing the Damage ............................................................9 

 Flood Damage .......................................................................14 

 Congressional, Agency and Volunteer Support.................17 

 Congressional and Agency Leaders Offer Help 

 Northwest Parks & Public Lands Storm Recovery Coalition 

 Volunteer Support 

 Flood Recovery Funding .....................................................22 

 Cost Savings Approaches 

 Volunteer Contributions Maximize Cost Savings 

 Spreading the Word ............................................................23 

 Public Information Meetings Held 

 Park Flood Makes Headlines 

 Accomplishments through December 2007 .......................25 

 Repair Options 

 Looking Ahead to 2008 and Beyond ..................................30 

 Projects To Be Accomplished 

 Flood Protection 

 The Year in Review 

2008 Update 

 Progress in 2008 ..................................................................33 

2007 & 2008 Expenditures 

 Budget Summary..................................................................40 

2009 and Beyond 

 The Work Ahead .................................................................42 
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The Flood of 2006: 

2007 Update

Prepared by: 

Alison B. Bullock 

December 2007 

Contributions from: 

Kevin Bacher, Jill Baum, Tricia Bickley, and Lee Taylor

Raging flood waters hiss as debris from Mount Rainier National Park washes downstream. 

Park staff flood memory – 

“Watching the water rise behind Longmire and slowly take out trees. 

The noise the river made, like thunder.” 
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Introduction 

On November 6-7, 2006, Mount Rainier National Park (MORA) was inundated with 18 inches of 

rainfall in a 36 hour period. The rain unleashed raging torrents of water in rivers and streams and 

landslides of mud and rock. All park visitors and most employees evacuated from the park 

Monday, November 6. By the time the water receded, park roads were impassable, power and 

water systems were out, and some campgrounds had literally disappeared from the map. The park 

would be forever changed.

The flood was a natural event unlike any other that has been recorded in Mount Rainier National 

Park’s 108 year history. Mount Rainier has experienced many other floods and mudflows that 

have changed the natural landscape and threatened the security of structures. None of these events 

left the park without utilities and roads, a safe entry corridor or removed campgrounds throughout 

the four corners of Mount Rainier as the November 2006 flood did. Damage to the park resulted 

in an historic six-month closure of the park.

One year later, the park is still recovering. Following the initial emergency response to the flood, 

the park’s primary focus became re-establishing access to the park and restoring the park’s utility 

infrastructure. Road repairs began immediately on the Nisqually Road, and utility crews worked 

to restore severed utility lines, commercial power, phones, sewer systems and water to the park. 

Throughout the winter months, repairs continued and on May 5, 2007, six months after the flood, 

the park celebrated the opening of the gates to visitors once again. 

Congressman Norm Dicks, Congressman Dave Reichert and Park 

Superintendent Dave Uberuaga swing the gates at Nisqually Entrance to 

reopen Mount Rainier National Park on May 5, 2007. 

 
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 On Nov. 7, 2006, park staff began evaluating the damage and initiating repairs. 

The summer was filled with healing as volunteers came by the hundreds to help rebuild the park. 

Backcountry assessments conducted once the snow melted revealed damages throughout the 

park’s trail system. Each passing day, more and more recovery projects were completed as the 

park continued to reopen areas to visitors. 

The road ahead looks a little brighter for 2008. Silver linings are abundant throughout the park as 

partnerships and volunteer support are stronger than ever. The breadth of projects yet to be 

completed gets smaller each day. 

Park staff flood memory - 

“It was by far the most emotional experience of my life. I evacuated the park with 

the other employees and broke into tears when I arrived home. Mother Nature 

had brought me to my knees only to weep in her bittersweet majesty.” 
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The Flood 

The scale of the event made history. The 18 inches of rainfall recorded at Paradise in 36 hours 

exceeded all previous records in the history of Mount Rainier National Park. Snow levels during 

the storm stayed above 10,000 feet in elevation, with the majority of precipitation falling as rain. 

Some existing snow above 7,000 feet melted during the storm, adding to the runoff in the rivers. 

As the rain flowed down mountainsides and roads to the main watersheds, it caused extreme soil 

erosion and slides. It uprooted large areas of trees that eventually caused logjams that redirected 

water flow. 

The event resulted in the undermining and removal of roadways, campsites and utilities. The 

flood also washed away multiple foot bridges and sections of hiking trails, rendering some unsafe 

for travel. 

Another exacerbating factor to the flooding is aggradation, a process by which the park’s glacier 

riverbeds fill with rock and cause the water level to rise. This occurs as Mount Rainier’s glaciers 

melt. Boulders, rock and silt are captured by the moving glacier and trapped within the frozen ice. 

All of the embedded material is released into the river as the ice melts. The river gradually 

tumbles the rock downstream, piling it up in river channels. During the November flood, the 

riverbed where Tahoma Creek flows under the Nisqually Road rose more than four feet. Because 

of aggradation, the White River is, at some places, 12 feet above adjacent State Route 410. Parts 

of the historic Longmire Village are well below the current elevation of the Nisqually River, and 

the river is nearly level with the park road in several places. 

Kautz Creek left its channel more than a mile 

upstream from the park road. It flowed through the 

forest and then over and under the park road 200 

yards east of the bridge. 

Park staff flood memory - 

“I was asked to help evacuate equipment from the Nisqually fee station. When I arrived, I 

walked out to the river to see how it looked. Besides seeing the river channel completely 

full, surging ahead, I also saw a lot of junk – culverts, wood, plastic. Only later did I 

realize that it was Sunshine Point being washed away!” 
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The Emergency Response 

The tasks that began while the flood was in progress mainly dealt with personal safety and the 

security of property. In the days immediately following the flood, assessment and stabilization 

turned to recovery efforts as road crews rebuilt sections of the Nisqually Road. Teams were 

established to evaluate trails and wilderness conditions. Power and sewer lines were restored. 

“During the peak of the storm, we were already ordering rock and heavy equipment so we could 

start repairing the Nisqually Road,” Superintendent Dave Uberuaga said. 

 

Park staff flood memories - 

“I remember how everyone worked together as one and began rebuilding everything that was damaged. 

The camaraderie was great. Thank you for letting me be a part of this organization.” 

“Being in a hole for three weeks.” (utility crew member) 

“The teamwork that it took to install the temporary power poles at Kautz Creek.” 

“The awesome power of Nature. Unstoppable.” 

Flood recovery tested staff capacity and organizational strength. The flood displaced 55 park 

employees, and 82 employees were assigned to the flood incident. Park employees pulled 

together to rebuild and recover, many working many long hours and often outside their official 

position descriptions. The park maintained a sustained emergency response for ten months, 

accumulating record hours of overtime and stretching resources to their limits. In fiscal year 

2007, 14,078.75 hours of overtime were recorded as a result of flood recovery. Park staff rallied 

to respond to the crisis and accomplished remarkable things in a very short time. 

Park staff flood memory - 

“The new Education Center being filled with park staff instead of 

school kids for several months.”
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At Sunshine Point, construction began on a replacement road on November 8, 

2006. 
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Assessing the Damage 

Road Damage

All the main access roads to Mount Rainier National Park, except for State Route 410 in the 

northeast portion of the park, sustained damage. However, the White River did overflow its banks 

inundating State Route 410 for several miles during the height of the flood.

As the Nisqually River swelled, it took out 200 yards of the Nisqually Road at Sunshine 

Point. At mileposts 5 and 9, road embankments were severely undercut, requiring 

stabilization and reconstruction of the road in those areas. 

Kautz Creek changed course about a mile above the Kautz Creek Bridge and flowed 

instead through the forest and across the road 200 yards east of the bridge. 

State Route 123, the major road connecting Ohanapecosh to White River and Sunrise, 

washed out in four places. One washout, at milepost 11.5, cut across both lanes to a depth 

of 70 feet. 

The Stevens Canyon Road washed out in three places. One landslide on Backbone Ridge 

collapsed the road 1500 feet down to the Ohanapecosh River. 

State Route 123 was heavily damaged during the flood. 
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Aerial and ground surveys found washouts at three places on the Stevens Canyon Road. One 

washout was 80 feet deep, and another sat atop a landslide 1500 feet long above the Ohanapecosh 

Campground. 

Campground Damage

Campgrounds suffered varying degrees of damage around the park. The worst hit by far was 

Sunshine Point Campground, the park’s primary year-round camping area. Carbon River’s Ipsut 

Creek Campground had minimal impacts to the actual camping area, but access was lost to it with 

the heavy flood damage on the Carbon River Road. As a result, Ipsut Creek Campground is open 

only for walk-in camping. 

The Nisqually River breached protective levees to reclaim about five acres of land from 

Sunshine Point Campground. 

Erosion caused damage to campsites, the access road and the amphitheater along the edge 

of the White River.

A landslide that swept 1500 feet down to the Ohanapecosh River from Stevens Canyon 

Road destroyed several campsites at the end of the C loop in the Ohanapecosh 

Campground.

The Carbon River Road washed out, eliminating car camping at Ipsut Creek 

Campground. Walk-in camping is available.

Four backcountry campsites were closed.
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Sunshine Point Campground was gone, along with 200 yards of road. 

Trail Damage

Damage ranged from sections of trail being obliterated to embankments being undercut.

Trees, boulders and other debris blocked passage on miles of trail in the park. 

More than 28 bridges and footlog crossings were damaged or washed away.

The debris laden Ohanapecosh River destroyed the suspension bridge leading to the 

island at Grove of the Patriarchs.

The Tahoma Creek suspension bridge was significantly damaged.

The Carbon Glacier Trail and Glacier Basin Trail were severely damaged, requiring the 

park to reassess the routes and develop plans for rebuilding these popular trails. 

Utilities and Infrastructure

Flood waters broke the park’s main utility lines leaving Paradise and Longmire without 

sewer, phone, water and commercial power. 

Water entered the Ohanapecosh Visitor Center resulting in minor damage.

The Kautz Helibase lost part of its footprint to Kautz Creek.

Backcountry structures lost roofs and radio towers.

The new Emergency Operations Center was threatened by the Nisqually River literally at 

its doorstep.

The original Longmire flood wall washed away.

Park staff flood memory - 

“I’ll remember being parked on the Westside Road as the water started to come up and 

feeling the road shake as it was being washed out. Our exit was hurried to say the least!” 
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The park’s buried power line was destroyed for a length of 1200 feet at 

Sunshine Point, shorted out at Kautz Creek and exposed by erosion in two 

other places. The overhead line to the water treatment plant at Longmire was 

also broken. 

The Emergency Operations Center at Longmire was especially vulnerable. 

Sixty feet of levee and river bank eroded away during the storm, leaving one 

corner of the building hanging over empty space. 
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 Areas of flood damage. 

Park staff flood memory - 

“My home phone ringing at 5:00 a.m. and my son, who is on the road 

crew, saying ‘Mom, we lost the road.’” 

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Flood Damage by Site 

Sunshine Point

The Nisqually River breached protective levees to reclaim about five acres of land at Sunshine 

Point, including 200 yards of the park road and much of Sunshine Point Campground. The park’s 

main utility lines were broken, including the buried cable that provides commercial power to 

Longmire and Paradise. 

Westside Road 

Flooding from Tahoma Creek damaged long stretches of this dirt road. 

Park staff flood memory - 

“Driving up on the Westside Road as the flood hit. A trickle became a 

stream as the earth shook with the weight of water.” 

Kautz Creek

Kautz Creek changed course about a mile above the road bridge and flowed instead through the 

forest and across the park road 200 yards east of the bridge. The flood undermined the road, 

damaged the buried power line and caused severe erosion through the Kautz Helibase and 

maintenance yard. 

Nisqually Road

The Nisqually River severely eroded the bank of the roadway in two places, at mileposts 5.2 (one 

mile below Longmire) and 9.1 (one mile above Cougar Rock Campground). At both locations the 

flood left the roadway partially unsupported above a sheer drop off and in danger of collapsing 

into the river. 

Longmire

The Nisqually River destroyed long stretches of levee at Longmire, eroding the bank on both 

sides of the channel. On the north side, the river undercut a corner of the park’s Emergency 

Operations Center. On the south side, the park’s service road washed out in several places. Power 

and sewer lines were destroyed where they crossed the river, and the water system was flooded 

with debris. 

Park staff flood memory - 

“Watching the water rise behind Longmire and slowly take out trees. 

The noise of the river made, like thunder.” 

Paradise

Like the one at Longmire, the water reservoir at Paradise filled with mud and debris during the 

storm. Freezing weather following the storm burst a water pipe in the Paradise Inn, causing some 

water damage. 

Stevens Canyon

The Stevens Canyon Road washed out in three places. This road is typically buried by snow 

during winter, so the full extent of the damage could not be determined until late spring when the 
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road reopened. The worst washout, on Backbone Ridge on the east end of the road, sits atop a 

landslide that sweeps thousands of feet down to the Ohanapecosh River. 

Ohanapecosh 

The Ohanapecosh River destroyed several campsites at the end of C loop. High winds toppled 

numerous trees. Water runoff pooling behind the visitor center caused water damage to the 

building’s walls and floors. 

The Grove of the Patriarchs 

Flooding buried this popular island of old growth trees in a layer of silt four feet deep. The 

debris-laden Ohanapecosh River destroyed the suspension bridge leading to the island and 

knocked the board walk through the Grove off its foundations. 

Highway 123 

This major highway through the park washed out in four places. One washout, at milepost 11.5, 

cuts across both lanes to a depth of 70 feet. The Federal Highway Administration initiated repairs 

on this road in June that were completed in September. 

Park staff flood memory - 

“Kayaking down SR123.” 

Highway 410 

The White River overflowed its banks during the storm, inundating Highway 410 for several 

miles. However, the highway did not sustain any long-term damage. 

White River Road and Campground

Erosion caused damage to campsites and an amphitheater along the edge of the White River. The 

shoulders of the campground’s access road were also eroded. 

Mount Fremont and Gobbler’s Knob Fire Lookouts

Either during the storm in November or a severe windstorm in December, high winds tore the 

roofs from the historic Mount Fremont and Gobbler’s Knob fire lookouts. At Gobbler’s Knob, 

two of the walls caved in as well. 

Carbon River

Flooding from the Carbon River partially or completely destroyed two miles of road between the 

park entrance and Ipsut Creek Campground. In places, only culverts and road signs remain to 

remind visitors that new river channels used to be roadways. The historic Ipsut Creek Patrol 

Cabin was undermined when a channel of the river flowed directly beneath it. The windstorm in 

December toppled dozens of trees across the damaged roadway. 

Trails 

Following the storm, it was difficult to estimate damages to the park’s trail system because of the 

large amounts of snow that buried them. A complete survey of the damage was not possible until 

the snow melted in July. Once the damages were able to be assessed, it became evident that the 

trail system had lost many low-lying trail bridges and that major sections of trail collapsed or 

were scoured down to bedrock. 
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High wind tore the roofs from the Fremont and Gobbler’s Knob Fire Lookouts. 

More than two miles of road were destroyed along the Carbon River. Ipsut Creek 

cut a deep channel directly beneath the historic Ipsut Creek Patrol Cabin. 

Park staff flood memory - 

“Walking what was the Carbon River Road in February and seeing all 

those old growth trees down. The destruction was unbelievable.” 
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Congressional, Agency and Volunteer Support 

Congressional and Agency Leaders Offer Help

Immediately following the storm, support came pouring in. The Pacific West Region of the 

National Park Service facilitated assignment of incident support staff and equipment from 

Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Dinosaur National 

Monument and Redwood National Park. Pacific West Regional Office, park headquarters budget 

office and Denver Service Center staff provided administrative, design, contracting and financial 

support when it was needed most. 

Supporting partners including Guest Services Incorporated, Federal Highway Administration, 

Washington Department of Transportation, U.S. Geological Survey, Pierce County Sheriff, Pierce 

County Fire Station 23 and Lewis and Pierce County governments, also provided emergency 

response and support in the initial recovery of the park. Federal Highway Administration 

continues to provide support to the recovery of the park’s road system. 

On November 17, 2006, National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar visited Mount Rainier 

National Park with Pacific West Regional Director Jon Jarvis and Pacific West Associate 

Regional Director Rory Westberg. They met with park staff and inspected some of the more 

accessible areas in the park that were damaged by the severe flooding, including Sunshine Point 

Campground, Kautz Creek, Longmire and the Nisqually to Paradise Road; they spoke at length 

with employees working on the short- and long-term recovery efforts. 

National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar and Regional Director Jon 

Jarvis visited the park and toured the damage. 

Congressman Norm Dicks (WA -6th) was one of the first elected officials on site during the 

evaluation of damages to the park. During a tour of the storm-ravaged park on November 21, 

2006, Mr. Dicks voiced his commitment to help the park rebuild. “This won’t happen overnight,” 

he said, “but securing funding to repair Mount Rainier will be my first priority in Congress.” He 
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was stunned by the worst weather-related damage in the park’s 108-year history. “It was 

unbelievable,” Dicks said. “Sunshine Point campground was completely devastated; it is gone. 

Roads were knocked out. Rivers had jumped out of their channels. ... It was bad.”i

As Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Interior, Environment 

and Related Agencies, Congressman Dicks was instrumental in securing emergency flood 

recovery funding for Mount Rainier. Since the flood, Congressman Dicks made three visits to 

Mount Rainier: seeing the damage, celebrating the park’s reopening on May 5, 2007 and 

launching National Public Lands Day on September 27, 2007. 

Congressman Norm Dicks surveyed damage in late November and expressed his 

commitment to secure funding for recovery efforts. 

On July 11, 2007, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, Senator Maria Cantwell (WA) commended the 

staff of Mount Rainier, Olympic and North Cascades National Parks for their commitment to 

repairing and restoring facilities damaged by the storms. “Their efforts exemplify the mandate of 

the National Park Service ‘to provide for the enjoyment of [the parks] in such manner and by 

which means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations,’” Cantwell 

said. “Without the extraordinary efforts of Park Service employees, it is likely that the parks 

would be decades from completing repairs, to the extent that they would be completed at all. It is 

my honor as Senator of the State of Washington to recognize the heroic efforts of these men and 

women and express my gratitude on behalf of my constituents and all Americans that enjoy and 

treasure these parks as sanctuaries of enjoyment, recreation, learning, and personal renewal.” 
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Northwest Parks and Public Lands Storm Recovery Coalition 

In response to the fall storms of 2006 and with the assistance 

of REI, the National Parks Conservation Association, the 

Student Conservation Association, the Washington Trails 

Association and the Washington’s National Park Fund formed 

a coalition to facilitate the restoration of Northwest national 

parks and forests. Mount Rainier National Park and the 

Student Conservation Association formed a partnership to 

manage an army of volunteers, supported by the Northwest 

Parks and Public Lands Storm Recovery Coalition. The result 

was extraordinary public support for Mount Rainier at a time 

when the park needed it the most. 

Volunteer Support 

Volunteer support at Mount Rainier in 2007 was unprecedented. Following the flood, thousands 

of concerned supporters called the park to offer assistance in the flood recovery. The response 

showcased the best that the community and the National Park Service could offer. Letters, emails 

and phone messages as well as monetary donations flooded in from individuals and community 

groups who wanted to help with flood recovery. 

 Help came in many forms, including this crew of 

 store managers from REI. 

In January, the Student Conservation Association (SCA) was selected to direct volunteer flood 

recovery efforts at Mount Rainier National Park. The Association has over 50 years of history in 

Washington State, and is now a nationwide force of volunteers committed to protecting and 

preserving the environment. Through internships, conservation jobs and field crews, SCA 

members meet environmental challenges while gaining hands-on experience in every 

conservation discipline. Mount Rainier also dedicated a full-time volunteer coordinator to flood 

recovery, a position the park plans to continue in future years. 

It took several months before the park’s infrastructure was repaired enough to reopen to the 

public, and a few months more before the snow melted enough to actually do much. Even so, 

when the time came, people stepped up in record numbers to follow through on their offers of 

help; many volunteers for the first time. Corporations such as Starbucks, Recreational Equipment 
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Inc. (REI), Boeing and Wal-Mart sent teams and financial support to help with the recovery. 

Supporters returned to volunteer for multiple projects throughout the summer, and developed a 

new passion for Mount Rainier that will continue long into the future. Many are already calling to 

ask how they can sign up for next year. 

After a tremendously successful summer, the first season of the Mount Rainier Recovery program 

came to a triumphant close on September 29 with a final, festive day of hands-on service and 

celebration. More than 150 enthusiastic individuals of all ages showed up on a chilly autumn day 

to honor the park and National Public Lands Day and to do one more favor for the mountain. 

Most of the volunteers were people who had served the park this summer and were returning to 

connect with others who had been part of the effort. The feeling of camaraderie was evident in 

smiling faces and cheerful conversation as volunteers worked on projects of re-routing a washedout trail, clearing debris from a flooded campground and planting willows in flood-damaged 

areas. 

 Mount Rainier National Park was featured on the annual 2007 National Public Lands Day poster 

and Ranger Doug produced this commemorative Mount Rainier Recovery poster as a thank you to 

Mount Rainier volunteers. 

 

Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga spent the day smiling broadly and thanking volunteers. After 

a celebratory barbeque dinner, he addressed the group, expressing deep gratitude for everything 

the attendees and others have done to help the park this season. More than 1,700 volunteers have 

come to the park’s aid this year, contributing a record 84,000 hours of service. Over half the trail 

work completed in the park this summer was done by volunteers. The monetary value of this 

service donated to the park exceeds $1.5 million. 

 2007 Volunteers by the Numbers 

Number of Volunteers 1,724 

Total Volunteer Hours 84,038 

Value of Volunteer Timeii $1,577,393 

Increase from 2006 92% 
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 2007 Volunteer Program Highlights 

Activity Hours 

Campground Maintenance and Restoration 1583 

Cultural Resources Assistant 201 

Culvert Clearing 244 

Education Program 1834 

Flood Documentation and Compliance 1424 

Japan Volunteer-in-Parks Association 990 

Lakes, Aquatics and Fish Crew 1110 

Revegetation 1343 

“Sherpa” projects 241 

Trail Repair 41,062 

Wilderness Clean up 197 

Wildlife Surveys 440 

2007 Japanese Volunteer-in-Parks 

 SCA Contributions in 2007 

Activity Completed 

SCA Mount Rainier Corps 11,343.5 hours 

Campgrounds Opened 4 

Campsites cleared or maintained 346 

Backcountry campsites constructed 4 

Historic cabins deconstructed 1 

Road culverts cleared 222 

Roadside erosion control 40,660 ft.2

Seedlings planted 2,000+ 

Trails brushed 39,670 ft. 

Trails raked 79,700 ft 

Ditches cleared 7,808 ft 

Drains cleared 1,242 

Check steps constructed 27 

Retaining walls built 9 totaling 124 ft. 

Stumps removed 110 

Trail reroute constructed 3,600 ft. 
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Flood Recovery Funding 

The flood recovery at Mount Rainier was initially estimated to cost $36 million, but was revised 

to $24-27 million. 

$24 million was targeted from the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) 

Emergency Repairs of Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) program. Because of cost saving 

approaches, Mount Rainier now estimates that these costs will be significantly less than 

original estimates, coming in between $11.5 and $14 million. 

$12 million was also committed from the National Park Service’s budget for flood 

damages including repairing trails, buildings, utilities and the initial flood response. 

Current estimates project the final cost to the National Park Service to be $12.7 million. 

Cost Savings Approaches 

Mount Rainier used existing park crews in lieu of awarding contracts to perform a 

majority of the recovery work, providing significant saving through reduced overhead 

and anticipated cost mark-ups associated with those remote sites. 

At Kautz Creek park crews were able to install culverts in lieu of major bridge 

construction. Highway 123 had a major washout and FHWA also installed culverts 

instead of a bridge. 

Solutions were engineered with consultants to apply alternative methods to road repair 

projects. For example, at White River, an estimated $1 million repair was completed for 

only $400,000 by using river barbs, a lower cost alternative to rip rap. 

Volunteer Contributions Maximize Cost Savings and Protection of Wilderness 

Areas 

Many volunteers have contributed to the recovery efforts, accounting for over $1.5 

million in savings. Volunteers also enabled the park to use less expensive solutions to 

recovery projects. For example, volunteers from Starbucks made three trips in to Stevens 

Canyon carrying wooden bridge planks, saving the park from having to contract for a 

helicopter to deliver the planks into the canyon. 

Volunteers removed antiquated telephone cables by hand in the wilderness areas near the 

Ohanapecosh Visitor Center and hand-cleaned ditches and culverts to protect aquatic 

species along roadways. 

Volunteers also provided a more eco-friendly solution to flood recovery projects in the 

park’s wilderness areas by using crosscut saws and other hand tools instead of power 

tools. 

Volunteers did a great deal of routine recurring maintenance with roads, trails and 

campgrounds, allowing park crews to focus on more complex repairs to the park. 

Partners, including Mount Rainier Recovery Coalition, Student Conservation Association 

(SCA), National Parks Conservation Association, The Mountaineers, Washington’s 

National Park Fund and Washington Trails Association helped offset costs through 

fundraising and volunteer efforts. 

REI made an initial corporate donation of $75,000, to jumpstart our partner organizations 

in what has become the Mount Rainier Recovery Coalition.
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Spreading the Word 

Public Information Meetings Held 

Between November 2006 and January 2007, Superintendent Dave Uberuaga invited the public to 

attend flood recovery information sessions in gateway communities of Mount Rainier National 

Park. At these meetings he provided residents with information about flood damage and plans for 

recovery. 

“The magnitude of this event affects not just the park roads, visitors, and staff, but also the local 

communities who rely upon the park for their livelihood and their recreation,” he said. “We feel it 

is extremely important to engage park neighbors and to keep them abreast of the ongoing 

recovery efforts.” 

Sessions included a presentation of flood impact photos and the opportunity to ask questions of 

park managers. 

Community Flood Recovery Information Sessions 

November 16th (3 p.m.), Green River Community College, Enumclaw 

November 16th (7 p.m.), Eatonville Elementary School, Eatonville 

December 11th (7 p.m.), Fire Station on Hwy 123, Packwood 

December 12th (7 p.m.), Enumclaw Library, Enumclaw 

December 13th (7 p.m.), Fire Station 23, Ashford 

December 14th (7 p.m.), Eatonville Community Center, Eatonville 
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The headlines. 

Park Flood Makes Headlines 

While the park focused on rebuilding, the news media kept the story in the headlines throughout 

the year, aiding in the park’s recovery process by educating the public, communicating the park’s 

need for volunteers and rallying support throughout the country. Featured on television, radio, 

newspapers and magazines, Mount Rainier’s story captured the interest of the public as 

supporters sought out information on the park’s recovery. Large regional newspapers such as The 

News Tribune (Tacoma), The Seattle Times, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and nationally 

distributed papers such as The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times all carried feature 

stories on flood recovery. Talk radio and nationally syndicated news programs such as National 

Public Radio’s Morning Edition featured stories and updates on the flood recovery. 

Even though the gates were closed, the internet and blogs played a key role in keeping 

information flowing to the outside world during the flood recovery. 
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Accomplishments through December 2007 

All major public road construction projects were complete by the end of November; electrical, 

water and sewer utilities have been restored to full service; major campgrounds were reopened; 

and many trails throughout the park were reopened, including the Wonderland Trail in early 

August. Substantial progress has also been made on flood protection at Longmire, and will 

continue in to the coming year. 

Sunshine Point

Mount Rainier’s road crews rebuilt the road at Sunshine Point, restored the park’s buried utility 

line and completed paving in February 2007, marking the first project completed in the park. 

More than 10,000 tons of rock was used to reconstruct the road and protect it from the Nisqually 

River. 

Westside Road

The Westside Road has been repaired as far as Dry Creek and is now open to that point. 

Kautz Creek

Park maintenance crews have installed three 30-inch culverts and two 12-foot culverts to 

accommodate the new creek channel. Temporary overhead power lines were installed to restore 

power to Longmire and Paradise. Most of the overhead power lines have now been buried. 

Two 12- foot culverts accommodate the new Kautz Creek channel at 

Nisqually Road. 

Nisqually Road

Park road crews rebuilt the road embankment along this road. Access to Longmire was reestablished in December and the National Park Inn was allowed to reopen on a part-time basis 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

26

before Christmas 2006. The road was reopened to public access on May 5, 2007. In October and 

November, park road crews repaired the Van Trump Curves segment of the Nisqually Road to 

stabilize creek embankments and protect the road from further damage. 

Longmire

Park crews restored power, sewer and water services at Longmire. The Emergency Operations 

Center was stabilized, and the washouts leading to the park’s service entrance were repaired. The 

National Park Inn and Longmire Museum are now open daily. Park employees based at Longmire 

returned to their regular offices as well. In October 2007, a new flood wall was constructed on the 

west bank of the Nisqually River to improve flood protection for the National Historic District 

and the Emergency Operations Center was reopened. 

Re-establishment and improvement of flood protection structures at Longmire are 

underway with the Longmire levee now complete. 

Washed out 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

27

Paradise

Despite 10 feet of snow on the ground at Paradise, park maintenance crews were able to dig out 

the flooded Edith Creek water reservoir. Contractors continued the ongoing renovation of the 

Paradise Inn, scheduled for completion in April 2008 and construction of the new visitor center 

scheduled for completion in fall 2008. Paradise is fully operational and snow play is scheduled 

for this winter. 

 Power, sewer and water utilities were restored, despite 10 feet of snow on the ground at Paradise. 

Stevens Canyon

Repairs were made to two washed out areas on Stevens Canyon Road, allowing the road to be 

open all summer for visitor traffic. This fall, Stevens Canyon Road was closed for repairs to the 

major washout at Backbone Ridge and completed in mid-November. 

Ohanapecosh

Most of the campground at Ohanapecosh was repaired and opened May 25. Structures only 

received minor damages and were able to be repaired. Riverside walk-in campsites that were lost 

will not be replaced. 

The Grove of the Patriarchs

Crews replaced the damaged suspension bridge and repaired the board walk, reopening the Grove 

of the Patriarchs in October. 

Highway 123

A contractor completed repairs to the damaged washout at milepost 11.5 and park road crews 

cleared and re-established culverts. Washington State Department of Transportation made repairs 

to areas of the road that were undermined during the flood. Culvert maintenance is ongoing on 

this road. 

Highway 410

No major repairs were necessary and the road reopened as scheduled in May. 

White River Road and Campground

Repairs have been made in the campground area and to the access road. 

Park Staff Memories - 

“I’ll remember the months of withdrawal from my ‘mountain fix,’ as access to the park was so limited. I’ll 

remember my 1st hike up the Carbon River Road – now a creek – and the huge amounts of devastation. It 

makes the last washout look like a rut. That’s the beginning of when the damage throughout the park began 

to sink in. Every day reveals more evidence.” 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

28

Mount Fremont and Gobbler’s Knob Fire Lookouts

Park crews removed the walls and damaged structures down to floor level and rebuilt the 

lookouts, securing the roofs prior to the onset of winter weather.

Mount Fremont and Gobbler’s Knob Fire Lookouts now have roofs and 

interior restoration will continue into 2008. 

Carbon River

The historic Ipsut Creek Patrol Cabin was dismantled, flown to Mowich Lake, and trucked to 

Tahoma Woods for restoration. 

 The historic Ipsut Creek Patrol Cabin, undermined by flood waters, was 

deconstructed in August and transported to Tahoma Woods for restoration. 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

29

Trails 

Work on the backcountry trail system was initiated in early 2007 with the help of more than 1700 

volunteers. During the summer, crews were able to repair the suspension bridge at the Grove of 

the Patriarchs, replace 20-foot logs and repair or replace six trail bridges. The 93-mile 

Wonderland Trail, which circumnavigates the park, was reopened in August with only a 4-mile 

road walk required in Stevens Canyon. 

With the help of volunteers and park crews, six backcountry bridges, 

have been replaced, such as this one over the North Puyallup River. 

Repair Options 

Throughout the recovery process this year, park crews and engineers have assessed the best 

possible options for recovering the park’s infrastructure. Alternatives considered took into 

account long-term sustainability, cost, impacts to the natural environment and the historic 

landscape of the park. In many cases, cost savings were realized by the park through design 

alternatives such as using river barbs instead of rip rap, installing culverts instead of bridges, and 

using volunteer labor.

Repair options must be weighed carefully based on cost, impact on the park’s 

natural and historic resources and long-term durability. 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

30

Looking Ahead to 2008 and Beyond 

While much progress has been made to repair the park, many projects are ahead. While the past 

year focused on re-establishing access to the park, the coming year will shift focus to the 

backcountry to address structures that were damaged by the storms in November and December 

2006. 

Projects to be Accomplished: 

Sunshine Point Campground – Because of the dramatic loss of land to the Nisqually River,

Sunshine Point remains closed to the public. The park anticipates that Sunshine Point 

Campground will eventually reopen as a smaller campground or picnic area. Options for 

Sunshine Point will be assessed in 2008. 

Westside Road – While open from the Nisqually Road to Dry Creek, the road was washed out 

repeatedly beyond this point in recent years and has been closed to traffic since 1986. Below Dry 

Creek, a smaller washout has reduced the road to one lane and park road crews completed repairs 

on this section before winter. 

Longmire – On the Community Building and campground side of the river, additional flood 

protection is proposed to be constructed in the spring of 2008. Relocation of the sewer line at 

Longmire required removing portions of the campground road alongside the river. Crews repaired 

this road and paving in spring 2008 will complete this project.

Kautz Helibase and Maintenance Yard – Some damage remains at the maintenance yard. The 

park is still assessing the best alternatives for the long term relocation of the helibase away from 

the river. Temporary overhead power lines will need to be buried this coming year. 

White River Road and Campground – Construction on the campground amphitheater has 

begun and will be completed in the summer of 2008. Road repairs are largely complete with 

paving scheduled for next spring.

Mount Fremont and Gobbler’s Knob Fire Lookouts – Awaiting snow melt in spring to 

continue repairs to the interior and conduct the finishing work to the lookouts. 

Carbon River – An Environmental Assessment is underway to determine the future of the 

Carbon River Road. Dismantling of the historic Ipsut Creek Patrol Cabin has been completed and 

the cabin is being stored at Tahoma Woods until a decision is made as to where the cabin will be 

placed next summer, pending the outcome of the Environmental Assessment. 

Trails – Much of the trail recovery work is yet to be accomplished and may take two more 

seasons to complete because of the short window of opportunity to make repairs. With the arrival 

of snow on the mountain, most trail work has been suspended until June 2008. Environmental 

reviews have been initiated for the Carbon Glacier Trail and Glacier Basin Trail. Repairs are also 

anticipated for 2008 on a four mile section of The Wonderland Trail in Stevens Canyon that was 

severely damaged during the flood. 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

31

 Known trail damage as of October 12, 2007 including repaired areas to date. 

Flood Protection 

Park roads and facilities at Longmire remain vulnerable to flooding. Each flood brings tons of 

debris down from the glaciers above, causing the river beds to rise. The White River now runs 12 

feet above the elevation of Highway 410 for three miles. National Park Service scientists are 

already studying the effects of this flood, hoping to better understand what the future holds for 

Mount Rainier National Park, and how to live safely alongside its rivers. National parks are 

places where humans live side by side with nature. Last November, the awesome power of that 

nature was proven. 

Park crews have worked diligently to improve flood protection, replacing and improving flood 

protection structures in the park in an attempt to protect key historic resources and park 

infrastructure from future damage from flood events. The primary focus to date has been to shore 

up protection of the Longmire National Historic District. Roads and bridges were also the focus 

of preventative flood mitigation. Preventative maintenance, including clearing culverts and 

drainages, removing flood debris and relocating critical utility infrastructure were completed prior 

to the onset of winter. This coming year, additional work is planned to improve flood protection 

throughout the park. 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

32

The White River now runs 12 feet above the elevation of Highway 410 for 

three miles. 

The Year in Review 

While the flood caused devastation throughout the park, the outcome of the flood is one of 

inspiration. Through the recovery process, the park received an enormous outpouring of support 

that is impossible to quantify fully. Park staff and volunteers showed tremendous leadership and 

perseverance during trying times. It is the strength and support of people that is making the park 

whole once again. 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

33

The Flood of 2006: 

2008 Update 

Prepared by: 

Jennifer Mummart 

October 2008 

Mount Rainier National Park, working side by side with the community, concessionaires, 

partners, volunteers and businesses, has made great strides in the two years since the flood. The 

park is committed to ongoing scientific research to foster understanding of the environmental 

changes its landscape and ecosystems will endure, and will continue to work to ensure that 

Mount Rainier National Park provides the recreational opportunities and great family memories 

for generations to come. This update is a snapshot of the park’s progress in 2008. 

Progress in 2008 

Sunshine Point 

Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology to collect topographic data was completed 

when the weather cleared at Longmire and Sunshine Point. Mount Rainier staff members are 

working with National Park Service engineers and a consultant to revise restoration cost estimates 

based on the information collected. A first draft of an environmental assessment for the area is 

expected late in 2009. A consultant will help the park determine the future flood protection 

alternatives for the Sunshine Point area and Pierce County flood levee by evaluating the river 

hydrology (peak discharge for 2-500 year flood events, hydraulics, and sediment and debris 

transportation, including scour depths). 

Westside Road 

Below Dry Creek at milepost 3.1 – National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance has 

been completed for stabilizing the road bank and constructing two rock barbs. 

From Fish Creek to Tahoma Creek Trailhead – NEPA compliance, by categorical exclusion, for 

road repairs from Fish Creek to Texas crossing, was approved on September 29, and work began 

the same day. A nationwide permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 

for temporary diversion of Tahoma Creek for work above Texas Crossing was approved on 

September 26. Instead of a temporary bridge over Fish Creek, the park is proposing a rock 

crossing for heavy equipment. Repair work at two locations on the first three-mile section (at 

milepost 0.1 and milepost 3.1, the section open to public vehicular travel) up to Dry Creek has 

been completed. The revegetation crew will be planting salvaged plants and seeding this fall. 

Work to re-establish four wheel drive administrative access from Fish Creek to Tahoma Creek 

Trailhead is near completion. 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

34

Kautz Creek

A bridge, on loan from the Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA), was delivered at the 

end of September. A categorical exclusion 

under NEPA is expected to allow heavy 

equipment to cross Kautz Creek in the 

maintenance yard and to install the bridge over 

Kautz Creek to allow the park to remove 

equipment and materials from the storage area 

on the opposite side. Bridge installation is 

expected by early November. 

Nisqually Road 

Repairs at seven sites (Sunshine Point area, box 

culvert at intersection with Westside Road, 

Tahoma Creek Bridge, Kautz Creek area, 

milepost 5.1, milepost 9.0, and Upper Van 

Trump Curve) have been completed. The 

revegetation crew will be planting willows, 

Thimbleberry, Salmonberry, and Devil’s club 

and seeding and planting salvage plants this 

fall. The revegetation work will be from the 

shoulder of the road down slope to the 

estimated high water line. 

Longmire and Sunshine Point Flood Protection

LIDAR has been flown and the resulting maps are expected in November. River cross sections 

have been completed on the Nisqually River at both Longmire and Sunshine Point. The 

information collected will be compared with pre-flood cross sections to calculate deposit changes. 

Both Longmire and Sunshine Point will be addressed in the same Environmental Assessment. 

The park will pave a 1,200-foot long section of road from the Longmire Suspension Bridge past 

the Community Building to the point where the road turns away from the Nisqually River and 

into the Longmire Campground. There are no plans to pave or repair the road through the 

campground to the sewage treatment plant and to the back gate. 

Paradise

The pumps for the sewage treatment plant will be installed this fall. The work must be done while 

the Paradise Inn is closed. 

Stevens Canyon

Repair work by both the contractor at milepost 16 and park crews at three locations farther west is 

complete. Revegetation crews have stabilized the road shoulder to prevent erosion. This section 

of roadway is scheduled for rehabilitation in FY 2011 through the Federal Lands Highway 

Program (FLHP) at which time crews will fully revegetate the roadway shoulder. 

Ohanapecosh

Campground C Loop – Superintendent Dave Uberuaga signed a Categorical Exclusion under 

NEPA on September 3. The park plans to remove the old roadway asphalt, scarify the old 

roadbed, install a split rail safety barrier fence, and rough out the new loop’s connection road this 

fall. Paving the short roadway section will likely begin in the spring or summer of 2009. 

Volunteer works on a revegetation project. 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

35

Highway 123

The contractor completed the repair work, and the road was reopened to the public in the fall of 

2007. Revegetation work, which included planting trees in planting pockets on the repaired road 

embankment and hydro-seeding, was also completed in the fall of 2007. Ongoing work in this 

area includes routine weed and exotic plant monitoring and removal. 

White River Campground Access Road

Damage to an 820 foot long section of the White River Campground access road between 

mileposts 0.4 and 0.6 (five miles up on the White River/Sunrise Road from intersection with SR 

410) has been repaired. A revegetation crew is planting salvaged plants, staking and seeding this 

fall. 

White River Entrance and Campground

The potable water intake for the campground has been cleared of the rock and gravel that blocked 

it; and the repair work is complete. The damage to the small earthen dam for potable water intake 

at the White River Entrance was obliterated by the flood, and the park constructs temporary 

intakes each spring. The park staff has suggested a location for a small concrete structure to 

remedy the problem, however its construction would require a wilderness boundary adjustment. 

The park would seek funding for the structure from the NPS Repair/Rehabilitation account. 

Mount Fremont and Gobbler’s Knob Fire Lookouts

Work has been completed at the lookouts. 

Carbon River Road

The park completed minor road stabilization work in the fall of 2007, and the future of the area is 

being determined with input from public scoping meetings. The park staff is working to revise 

alternatives that consider public comments and will work on the Environmental Assessment. The 

park will conduct subsequent public review meetings during 2009. Dependent upon the final 

preferred alternative, work to repair or decommission portions of the roadway will begin, at the 

earliest, in the fall of 2009. 

Park Trails

A heavy snowfall and late snowmelt resulted in getting a late start on trail work. In addition, the 

heavy snow broke numerous trail bridges that had to be replaced. The park’s trail crew made 

great progress on repairing the flood damages of 2006, despite the challenging weather conditions 

this year. 

Washington Trails Association crews worked on park trails every weekend throughout the 

summer, concentrating their efforts on the White River Area, especially the Glacier Basin reroute. 

In addition to the weekend work, the Association provided two, week-long crews of 12 people 

each, and contributed many hours of high-quality work to restoring and improving park trails. 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

36

The trail crew completed trail reroutes on the Stevens Canyon section of the Wonderland 

Trail, which had been closed all of 2007. The lower of the two reroutes was about 1,600 

feet long and was completed by the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and 

volunteer groups. The upper section of reroute was located on an extremely steep 

exposed slope. This project required the use of explosives and at times required that 

people be secured to safety lines to prevent falls from the mountainside. NPS trail crews 

and Washington Conservation Corps crews worked on this section with the WCC crew 

doing most of the earth moving and completing the task. 

On the Silver Falls Trail at Ohanapecosh, the park trail crew finished building a 63-foot 

long steel and wood trail bridge. This bridge replaces one that failed during the flood and 

is located on a very popular hike in the Ohanapecosh area. 

Trail crew hard at work. 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

37

New bridge over Laughingwater Creek on the Silver Falls Loop Trail. 

Work has begun on the 1.25 mile reroute of the Glacier Basin Trail in the White River 

area. The crew expects to complete about 1,000 feet of trail this season with work 

continuing through 2009 and likely into 2010. 

The Trail Crew replaced a 55-foot footlog across Cataract Creek on the Wonderland Trail 

near the Carbon Glacier. This crossing provides access to the Carbon River Camp. 

A half-mile reroute of the Wonderland Trail between Longmire and Cougar Rock was 

completed this season. 

A new 30-foot steel and wood bridge on the Eastside Trail at Chinook Creek has been 

installed. 

Environmental compliance work is proceeding on a proposed 1,500-foot reroute of the 

Wonderland Trail along the Carbon River. If approved, crews could begin work on this 

section of trail in the spring of 2009. 

Work has been completed on the beautiful and popular Grove of the Patriarchs Trail. 

Remaining repairs to trails include a minor reroute of the Wonderland Trail near Kautz 

Creek, a 50-foot log bridge at Deer Creek on the Eastside Trail, three small bridges on the 

Owyhigh Lakes Trail, and constructing 100 feet of guardrail on the Silver Falls Trail. 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

38

Volunteers 

The Northwest Parks and Public Lands Storm Recovery 

Coalition, which formed in the aftermath of the 2006 

flood, has become the Washington Parks and Forests 

Coalition and has redirected its mission to issues beyond 

flood recovery. The coalition coordinates publicity, 

recruitment, fundraising, and, for shared events such as 

National Public Lands Day, logistical support, for the 

member organizations. Projects during the summer of 

2008 that have involved support from all of the members 

of the coalition included National Parks Conservation 

Association’s (NPCA) educational seminars in Seattle 

and at REI stores; SCA’s fundraising efforts, which have 

resulted in support from Boeing and other organizations; 

and organizing National Public Lands Day and National 

Trails Day. 

Accomplishments in 2008 and plans for 2009

The Mount Rainier Recovery Corps, sponsored by 

the Student Conservation Association, worked on 

projects this summer similar to those of 2007, 

including major efforts to repair, rebuild and 

maintain trails and trail bridges; revegetate, 

collect seeds, and remove exotic species; restore 

the Longmire Campground; shovel snow; and 

rove the meadows. The Recovery Corps also 

expanded its efforts in several new areas, 

especially citizen science in soundscape 

monitoring, amphibian surveys and archeological 

surveys. With help from a grant from Boeing, the 

Corps also made a major push to train volunteers, 

including courses in Wilderness First Aid, 

Wilderness First Responder and crosscut saw 

certification. 

Next year the park will be without the Recovery 

Corps. There is flood recovery work remaining 

including reconstruction of the Wonderland Trail 

along Carbon River and continuing to reconstruct 

the Glacier Basin Trail. Revegetation work in 

areas disturbed by the flood is ongoing. The 

backcountry maintenance program will have 

many opportunities for volunteers to get involved 

 in the summer of 2009. 

Student Conservation Association 

Mount Rainier Recovery Corps 

2008 

Volunteer projects ............107 

Volunteers .........................657 

Volunteer hours .............3,871 

Corps hours ...................7,104 

Public training hours .....2,126 

Total hours .................13,101 

Mount Rainier Recovery Corps. We 

couldn’t do it without volunteers! 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

39

Mount Rainier’s volunteer program received three awards in 2008 in recognition of its flood 

recovery efforts: 

The Cooperative Conservation Award, presented by the Department of the Interior in 

April 2008 for the park’s partnerships with the Northwest Parks and Public Lands Storm 

Recovery Coalition, 

The George B. Hartzog, Jr. Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service, presented by the 

NPS in May 2008 for the park’s volunteer program, and 

A Take Pride in America Federal Land Manager's Award, presented in July 2008 to 

recognize Superintendent Dave Uberuaga’s leadership in building and promoting 

partnerships and volunteerism. 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

40

The Flood of 2006: 

2007 & 2008 Expenditures 

Prepared by: 

Randy King and Eric Walkinshaw 

March 2009 

Budget Summary 

Mount Rainier has benefitted from broad support and generous supplemental funding to recover 

from the flood of 2006. Two sources of supplemental funding have been used to pay for most 

repairs to date: NPS Storm Damage Funding and Federal Highway Administration Emergency 

Relief for Federally Owned Roads Funding (ERFO). 

The ERFO program is intended to help pay the unusually heavy expenses associated with the 

repair and reconstruction of Federal roads and bridges seriously damaged by a natural disaster 

over a wide area or catastrophic failure. Restoration in-kind to pre-disaster conditions is expected 

to be the predominate type of repair. 

Mount Rainier has received ERFO funding authorizations of $5,601,639 and $6,203,673 – a total 

of $11,805,312. $6,203,673 funded Federal Highways’ administered contracts for major repairs to 

SR123 and the Stevens Canyon Road, as well as design and construction management services 

for repairs on the Nisqually Road. The park’s road crew expended most of $5,601,639 authorized 

to complete major repairs to the Nisqually Road at Sunshine Point, Kautz Creek, milepost 5.2 and 

milepost 9.1. 

 

The park’s road crew completed another $2.011 million in road repairs and flood protection work 

at Upper Van Trump Curve, the Longmire Back Road and the White River Campground Road. 

These repair costs were determined ineligible for ERFO funding and were paid with NPS Storm 

Damage funding. 

The only remaining road repairs potentially eligible for ERFO funding includes portions of the 

Carbon River Road and the Sunshine Point Campground entrance road. Planning is still underway 

to determine the extent and type of repairs at both locations, which will in turn determine ERFO 

funding eligibility. 

NPS Storm Damage Funding in the amount of $11,512,000 has been authorized for Mount 

Rainier repairs. This fund source has paid for extensive repairs to trails, buildings, utility systems, 

flood protection structures, non-public roads, campgrounds, etc., essentially all repairs not 

otherwise eligible for ERFO funding. The park has expended or obligated $11,056,179 of the 

authorized Storm Damage funding to date. Remaining repairs are estimated at $5,507,000 

million, for an overall potential funding need of $16,560,000. Firmer cost estimates won’t be 

available until repair decisions are made for the Carbon River Road and the flood protection 

structures at Longmire and Sunshine Point. No additional NPS Storm Damage funding is 

available. Other NPS fund sources will be sought to complete remaining flood repairs in 2009 and 

beyond, including 18 trail projects ($898,406), Longmire back road paving and flood protection 

($375,152), and Sunshine Point and Longmire flood protection structures (preliminary estimate, 

$2,800,000). 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

41

The total cost to repair all damages from the November 2006 floods is currently estimated at 

$27,945,734. 

Flood Recovery Funding and Expenditures 2006 - 2008 

Funding 

Source 

Initial 

Damage 

Estimate 

(2007) 

Authorized Obligated/Spent 

(through Jan. 

2009) 

Projected 

Expenditures 

-FY09/FY10 

Total 

Anticipated 

Expenditures 

ERFO $23,497,000 $11,805,312 $10,719,892 $1,029,858 $11,749,750

NPS Storm 

Damage $11,512,000 $11,512,000 $11,056,179 $5,506,953 $16,563,132

Total $35,009,000 $23,317,312 $21,408,853 $6,536,811 $27,945,734
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

42

The Flood of 2006: 

2009 & Beyond 

 

The Work Ahead 

This report highlights the incredible progress made in repairing the 2006 storm damages and 

making Mount Rainier National Park whole again. More work remains to complete repairs from 

the Flood of 2006. The following table summarizes the storm damage repairs to be accomplished 

in 2009 and beyond, as planning is completed and funding available. 

Remaining 2006 Storm Damage Repairs as of March 2009 

Project 2009 Cost 

Estimate 

Project Description 

Narada Falls Tread and 

Railings $25,000 Repair tread and replace railing 

Cowlitz Divide Trail $4,023 Replace washed out footlog at Ollalie Creek 

Camp 

Emmons Moraine Trail $20,087 Construct approximately 750' of trail 

Eastside Trail: Deer Creek 

Bridge $50,459 Construct new bridge 

Eastside Trail: Suspension 

Bridge $17,658 Replacement of some structure and decking 

Glacier Basin Trail $224,833 

Clear corridor and construct 1.25 miles of 

new trail through forest, including footlogs, 

bridges and board walk 

Lakes Trail West: Bridges and 

Tread $22,103 Replace 3 bridges and repair tread damage 

in various locations 

Laughingwater Creek Trail $15,011 Several bridges that washed out need to be 

reset or replaced with longer bridges 

Owyhigh Lakes Trail: Culvert 

Washout $5,886 Culvert washed out near Mile 2, 30' wide; 

needs to be replaced with a bridge 

Silver Falls Loop Trail: Ohana 

River Bridge Guardrail $32,543 Construct new guardrail near Falls 

Skyline Trail: Tread $25,012 Repair tread and retaining walls throughout 

trail 

South Puyallup Trail $5,009 Repair tread near South Puyallup Camp 

Spray/Seattle Park Loop Trail $32,566 Replace gravel in damaged tread 

Tahoma Creek Suspension 

Bridge $10,000 Stabilization 

Tahoma Creek Trail $162,297 Rehabilitate existing trail, layout of new trail 

around washout areas 

WT-1: Kautz Creek Tread and 

Footlog $15,241 Replace 200 yards of missing tread 
 The Flood of 2006 

2007 & 2008 Updates 

43

WT-1: Carbon Reroute (mile 

1.7-2.4) $198,635 

Clear corridor and construct 2,500' of trail 

through forest and across bedrock; requires 

blasting 

Paradise River Historic Bridge $32,043 Complete two bridge replacement projects 

now at 80% and 30% completion 

Longmire Back Road Paving 

and Flood Protection $317,152 

Construct 300' of rock and concrete wall to 

protect Longmire Back Road and 

Community Bldg; pave damaged road 

Asphalt Sewer Line Road at 

Longmire $58,000 Pave Longmire Back Road where sewer line was damaged and repaired 

Carbon River Road Plan $750K - 

$1.5M 

Complete planning and compliance in 2009 

to determine scope of repairs and funding 

requirements 

Longmire and Sunshine Point 

Flood Protection 

$1M - 

$4.5M 

Complete planning and compliance in 2009 

to determine scope of repairs and funding 

requirements 

Restoration $135,370 Restoration of 39 damaged sites, including 

roadsides, trails, campgrounds 

Sunshine Point Campground 

and Picnic Area $204,886 

Repair or demobilization costs, depending on 

outcome of flood protection plan for 

Sunshine Point 

Ipsut Campground Repair 

and/or Demobilization $122,135 Repair or demobilization costs, depending on outcome of Carbon River Plan 

Kautz Creek Storage 

Area/Heliport $189,000 

Construct new heliport; move buildings and 

materials storage areas away from Nisqually 

River and Kautz Creek 

Relocate and Assemble Ipsut 

Patrol Cabin/Ranger Station $30,000 

Relocate historic Ipsut Patrol Cabin to 

Carbon River Road corridor; location to be 

determined 

References Cited 

 

i

 By DEBERA CARLTON HARRELL, Storm damage at Mount Rainier is 'unbelievable', Seattle PostIntelligencer, December 30, 2006. 

ii Valued at 2006 value of $18.77 per hour from the Independent Sector, www.independentsector.org