Since the turn of the century, Pierce County River Improvement (PCRI) has been active in river management projects throughout Pierce County. With the goal of minimizing flood damage to crops and homes, the first levees were built along the Puyallup River in 1906. The formation in 1914 of Inter-County River Improvement, a cooperative effort with King County, began construction on the Lower Puyallup and the White River levee system.

The historical emphasis has been structural alternatives, such as levees and river dredging, to protect other land uses adjacent to the rivers. Starting in 1914, the first of several major realignments moved portions of the Puyallup River to its current location.

Over the years, flood control projects have been constructed throughout the County, including the Puyallup, White and Carbon Rivers.

Today, Pierce County River Improvement is responsible for maintaining nearly 92 miles of levees along the Puyallup, White, Carbon and Nisqually Rivers.

Other services include access road grading/mowing and vegetation and debris management to maintain channel flood capacity. The County quarry near the town of Orting is also operated by PCRI. During flood events, PCRI coordinates flooding information with other emergency response agencies and provides emergency levee construction and repair.

Preserving the fishery resources in Pierce County's rivers is now a major consideration in all of River Improvement's operations. Projects are coordinated with the Washington State Department of Fisheries and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians in an effort to minimize fisheries impacts.

With the completion of the 'Puyallup River Basin Comprehensive Flood Control Management Plan', PCRI is moving into the future and developing a more comprehensive approach to floodplain management.

Recommendations in the plan include both structural and non-structural alternatives, that continue to:

• Coordinate and standardize floodplain regulations for all municipalities throughout the basin.
• Regulate floodplain development to minimize non-compatible uses.
• Develop a flood warning system for the major rivers.
• Begin a Public Awareness program promoting responsible uses of the floodplain area.
• Construct 'setback' levees and other structural alternatives further away from the river to allow for a more natural riverine environment.