About the study

Flooding along U.S. 101 between Seaside and Circle Creek is a known problem that affects travel, the road and nearby properties.

We've collected data on recent floods to help understand how water moves through the area and where flooding affects U.S. 101.

U.S. 101 floods during major storms. Water can cover the highway, making travel difficult and unreliable.
U.S. 101 is an important regional route. Flooding can disrupt travel for residents, businesses, freight, visitors and emergency responders.
Floodwater has limited ways to drain or exit the area. U.S. 101 passes through a low-lying area near the Necanicum River, Circle Creek, wetlands and other waterways. This means floodwater adds to existing waterways and overwhelms these natural drainages.
Flooding affects the surrounding area. Changes to where the water flows could affect nearby properties, wetlands, waterways and other infrastructure.

Our team reviewed the key issues and developed potential options to help reduce flooding on U.S. 101. Each option has benefits and trade-offs.

As you're looking at the options, keep in mind:

Flooding: How well would the option reduce flooding on U.S. 101?
Travel: Would it keep the highway open and reliable during floods?
Community: How would it affect nearby homes, businesses and properties?
Environment: How could it affect wetlands, rivers, wildlife and other natural areas?
Construction: How difficult would it be to build?
Cost: How much would it cost to build and maintain?
Long-term results: How well would the solution work over time? Some options may cost less or be easier to build now but may not provide the same long-term benefits.