Six currently unmeasured tributaries of the Chehalis River will soon be providing readings as gauges are planned to be installed.
The Department of Ecology’s gages will measure streamflow and water quality, filling data gaps to evaluate the effects of the proposed dam on the Chehalis River.
The six new stream gauges are proposed to be located at:
• South Fork Chehalis River at state Route 6
• Bunker Creek at Ceres Hill Road
• Stearns Creek at Twin Oaks Road
• Dillenbaugh Creek at Riverside Drive
• Salzer Creek at Airport Road
• Black River at U.S. Highway 12
The gauges will provide real-time measurements that will be available online.
Their readings will also be included in the Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority’s early warning system, Ron Averill, Flood Authority member, said at a Centralia Council meeting on Tuesday.
The Department of Ecology is beginning work on permitting and permission for all locations, according to information provided to the Flood Authority.
Funding for the project appears likely as it has been approved by both the state Senate and House, Averill said.
The majority of gauges in the Chehalis River Basin belong to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Messages left with Dustin Bilhimer with the Department of Ecology, who is listed as a contact for the project, were not returned.
