GRCC and the Howard Hanson Dam

This web site is intended to provide information and flood planning resources for students and employees.

Since 1961, the Green River Valley has been protected from flooding by the Howard Hanson Dam, an earthen structure built at Eagle Gorge, near the town of Palmer about 30 miles upstream from Auburn. The dam is operated by the Army Corps of Engineers.

During a storm in early 2009, engineers discovered seepage from the right abutment of the dam. Further tests revealed that leakage occurred at a quicker rate as the water storage in the reservoir increased. Army engineers have determined that a significant volume of water may need to be released downstream than at any other time since the dam was built. This could cause flooding in the Green River Valley.

The cities of Auburn, Kent and Renton are in Green River Community College District #10. These same cities are also in the flood path of the Green River. Green River Community College’s Kent Campus, Downtown Auburn Center, and other ESOL/ABE classroom sites are located in the Green River Valley and may be impacted during a flood of the river.

More than 1,000 students and 40 employees go to college and work at GRCC sites in the valley. In addition, approximately 400 students and 50 employees live in the Green River valley floodplain.