A combination of record-setting rainfall, flooding on the Deschutes River and high tides in Puget Sound caused minor flooding this morning around the eastside of Capitol Lake – from approximately the walking bridge at Heritage Park to the Fifth Avenue dam spillway.

Water came close to but did not reach any downtown businesses early this morning. It did, however, briefly cover a couple of city streets. Flooding is contained, at the present time, within Heritage Park, but water has inundated the pathway around a portion of the lake. The park remains open at this time.

The Department of Enterprise Services (DES), the state agency responsible for managing the 260-acre artificial lake, has been and continues to release as much water through the Capitol Lake dam as each low tide allows.

DES closely monitors weather forecasts, streamflow on the Deschutes River, tide tables and more to determine when to lower the lake below the normal winter level in advance of major storms.

Early this morning, when DES staff determined that the lake was going to flood, the department notified the city of Olympia. DES also quickly closed a section of Water Street and 7th Avenue. The city immediately implemented its flood response plan which includes pumping excess stormwater directly into Capitol Lake and placing sandbags in the area to protect nearby businesses.

Capitol Lake is filled by the Deschutes River, which has been at flood stage due to heavy rain. The river crested around 4 a.m. this morning and is now dropping. At its height, the river was filling the lake at a rate of about two feet an hour.

There will be a chance of additional minor flooding at Capitol Lake later today – during the high tide at 4:08 p.m. DES and the city of Olympia will have equipment and supplies in place to respond.

Follow Enterprise Services on Twitter.

Learn more about Visitor Services on Facebook.