Maintaining the standard

Utilities maintenance is extensive, mostly invisible and time consuming. Although these projects aren't very photogenic, we'd like to share what is happening throughout the water and sewer districts as well as the diking and drainage projects we are involved with.

Consolidated Diking Improvement District: TAM #1

Kelso – Consolidated Diking Improvement District (CDID) #3 supervisors don’t want to be sitting ducks, waiting for the next flood to threaten Kelso. They are taking preemptive action, hoping to be ready when the next big flood hits.

The supervisor’s concerns were raised in 2009 when the dike adjacent to the Coweeman River boils began to show up near Brook Hollow mobile home and RV park. For the volunteer board, the potential loss or breach of the dike is a major concern.  The CDID 3 diking system protects Kelso High School, Three Rivers Mall, Cowlitz Fire and Rescue 2 and over 2,000 residents' homes as well as many area businesses.

In response to the threat, the CDID #3 supervisors began an arduous process to upgrade the entire system. On October 31 they anticipate the successful completion of the first phase, an upgraded pump station near Tam O’Shanter Park and Kelso High School.

The pump station improvements increase the station’s ability to successfully pump water from inside the dike into the river. It also increases the station's ability to pump when the river is higher – allowing CDID #3 to move to the next stage of increasing Kelso’s flood protection – raising the dike three feet.

 “The district is a benefit district. Our function is to protect and improve,” CDID supervisor Pete Leak.