Flood waters, but no damage

Bridge 32 in downtown Snoqualmie is

quickly engulfed in water.  Normally,

Kimball Creek is 18 inches deep and
about ten feet wide.

The Northwest Railway Museum is located in the urban flood plain.  That really isn't something the Museum has any choice about because it is built on and around a 19th Century railroad, and most mountain railroads are either along the river or on a hillside.  Last Monday, January 5, 2015, heavy rain combined with melting snow to create a rapidly rising river that crested at one of the highest flow rates ever recorded. Fortunately, the Museum avoided any significant damage.
 

The Salish Lodge and Spa keeps watch

over an angry river as it plunges over

the top of Snoqualmie Falls.

The Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway arrived in Snoqualmie in 1889 (the Museum commemorated the 125th anniversary of passenger service to Snoqualmie Falls with a special train on July 4th, 2014) and the civil engineer  - Charles Baker - that designed the line chose the best possible grade and location.  Interestingly, the Snoqualmie Depot in downtown Snoqualmie is the highest point in downtown (it is unlikely that was by accident) as was much of the line but encroaching development has brought structures and significant changes in surface water management. So now some of the railroad grade is susceptible to flood damage because adjacent development constricts water flow and generates scouring velocities that have in the past removed vast quantities of railroad ballast from under the track. 

Bridge 35 is just a few feet above the

water in this image taken four hours

before cresting.,

Several projects in the last ten years have reduced flooding impacts.  First, a flood reduction project by the Army Corp of Engineers widened the river at Snoqualmie Falls to increase capacity of the river.  Second, Puget Sound Energy's rehabilitation of the Snoqualmie Falls hydro electric development removed the permanent weir (dam) across the river, but also other obstructions that were close to the river's edge including the remains of Bridge 5.46.


The flood waters get dangerously

close to the deck of the bridge.

Last Monday's flood was the first major event since completion of all the construction projects.  Naturally, when water flow rates approached those of prior major events including 2011 and 1996, many thought the Museum would sustain damage.  Fortunately, they were wrong.

The floor reduction projects appear to have made a difference.  Despite more than 51,000 cubic feet per second (normally it is about 2,000) of water flow over Snoqualmie Falls, there was no water over the track.  There was some minor scouring around bridge 35 in North Bend, but no damage that requires repair at this time. 

The flood reduction work that has spared the Museum damage during this recent event is not without controversy.  Spike cannot attest to the downstream impact in Fall City, Carnation and Duvall, which is a matter of considerable debate and has generated at least one lawsuit.  However, conditions for Snoqualmie and the Museum have improved dramatically, and bode well for the overall improved sustainability of the community. 



Giving Thanks in 2009

15 things the Northwest Railway Museum is thankful for (in no particular order):

1. Sprinkler systems! (The Snoqualmie Depot was spared from major fire damage by sprinkler heads located on the structure’s exterior.)

2. Successful flood recovery. (On January 8 the Museum experienced the most significant flood event in its history and recovered in time to operate trains in April as scheduled.)

3. Broad base of community support from a truly successful community. (Participation through programs, volunteering, contributing funds, donating goods and services, and helping protect the museum from fire, flood and even petty crime.)

4. Popular programs. (2009 experienced record-setting participation in the Museum’s programs.)

5. Beautiful scenery in a great location. (A beautiful location helps the Museum be successful, and is part of railroad's legacy in the Northwest.)

6. A Collection of Northwest railway history truly representative of the region. (Locomotives, a depot, bridges, freight cars, coaches, lanterns, books, photographs, maps, and examples of pretty much anything else imaginable that was used to build, operate or maintain a railroad.)

7. Great volunteers. (Over 200 people have participated this year in everything from flood recovery to staffing all programs.)

8. Dedicated staff. (Five full time and four part time staff provide management and general support for museum programs.)

9. Supportive local government (Snoqualmie, North Bend and King County have all helped the Museum become more successful.)

10. Awesome elected officials at all levels of government from the City of Snoqualmie Council all the way to Congress.

11. Irreplaceable support from the State of Washington and the United States. (Together, the State and Federal government are funding nearly 40% of the new Train Shed.)

12. Museum members. (Membership remains as one of the Museum’s critical support mechanisms.)

13. Generous funders. (Recent new support received from 4Culture, North American Railway Foundation, the Quest for Truth Foundation, the City of Snoqualmie and dozens of individuals.)

14. Effective and dedicated Board of Trustees. (Museum is governed by 11 volunteer trustees. Members include rail historians, museum volunteers, and community representatives.)

15. The best bells and whistles of any museum in the County!

Save Our Rails success

Over 130 people experienced the Save Our Rails event. That beautiful sunny April afternoon and evening saw temperatures soar into the 70s. Really good food, interesting auction items, incredible wines in an after dinner tasting, and a scenic train excursion to Snoqualmie Falls rounded out the evening. There was even a guest appearance from Captain Johnathan Hillstrand of the good ship Time Bandit, one of the stars from Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch.

Certainly the highlight of the evening was the great food from Snoqualmie’s very own Woodman Lodge. Proprietor Peter L. and his excellent staff served up superb food with prompt and efficient service. Salmon, pasta and of course steak were among the menu choices. A varied and extensive wine menu was available as an extra too.

Silent auction items provided an important avenue for support of Save Our Rails too. Over a dozen local organizations contributed including the LeHay family, Seattle Mariners, Salish Lodge and Spa, Sue B’s Avon, Carmichael’s True Value, Hit Entertainment, Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course, Jason V., Costco, Sherry G., Snoqualmie Falls Brewery, Radar Ski, TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge, and Birches Habitat.

Going Once, Going Twice

The level of excitement is building as the Save Our Rails fundraiser draws near. Tickets to the event are selling fast, but great seats for dinner at the Woodman Lodge are still available. April 30, 2009 will be an evening to remember, with a wonderful dinner, train ride, wine tasting and silent auction.

Train excursions to the top of Snoqualmie Falls will depart from the Snoqualmie Depot throughout the evening. A wine tasting featuring South American and Italian wines will be happening along with a silent auction. Auction items are pouring in and the bidding should be brisk. Items donated for the auction include “Engineer for a Hour,” an overnight stay and breakfast at the Salish Lodge & Spa, and a beach chair and towel from Costco. (Yes, you will need it soon; summer is coming!)

So, call 425.888.4441 and secure your tickets today. You won’t want to miss it!

Save Our Rails!

Flood recovery is nearly complete and now it’s time to pay the piper! So we’re planning a fun evening on April 30 at the Woodman Lodge to help raise funds to pay for the repairs. Save Our Rails will be held Thursday, April 30, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM and there will be several seating options throughout the evening. If you have not eaten at the Woodman's Lodge, this is a great opportunity to try it out!

The Woodman Lodge is the new steakhouse that opened in downtown Snoqualmie's restored Odd Fellows Hall last summer. (This building is located right behind the Snoqualmie Depot and is also a City of Snoqualmie Landmark.) They will be offering a choice of 4 delicious entrees, along with music and a unique atmosphere. The evening will also include a short excursion to Snoqualmie Falls on the Museum’s just-repaired railway. A silent auction will feature a handful of truly unique items including a very rare opportunity to be a locomotive engineer for an hour!

Save Our Rails tickets are $85 each or $150 per couple; a portion of the ticket price may be available to you as a tax deduction. For tickets and information, please call (425) 888-4441, email tickets@woodmanlodge.com or click here to read the news release.

He's Got the Spirit

The spirit of giving is alive and well in western Washington. One of our members, 5¾ years-old Hal C. donated the entire contents of his piggy bank to flood relief for the Northwest Railway Museum. When asked, Hal confided he was worried that his favorite Museum might not be there anymore. He decided on his own, to contribute the contents of his piggy bank. The quarters and dollar bills spilled out onto the counter of the Depot Bookstore. Hal and James, the bookstore manager, counted it together and the total came to $11.00. Hal’s father, Eric C. made a contribution as well.

What a wonderful boost on a rainy first day of spring. Here’s a big thank you to a very thoughtful young man and his family for showing us all how to make a difference.