Ken Gallenbor, director at ROTH Strategic and facilitator for the Chehalis Basin Board, told the Lewis County commissioners on Aug. 26 that the board is preparing technical analyses of several large-scale flood damage‑reduction options, including a proposed flow‑through dam near Pe Ell, a system of local levees and floodwalls for the Chehalis–Centralia area, and potential modification or removal of the Skookumchuck Dam.

The board is convening a comparative analysis to show costs and benefits for multiple alternatives and combinations, Gallenbor said. “The whole idea of this is to create a comparative analysis that is fair and has the cost and benefits of all these options,” he said, adding that the analysis will be presented in December so elected officials and the public can compare outcomes for fish, flood control and costs across alternatives.

Why this matters: decisions about large flood‑reduction projects affect levees, habitat, water rights and long‑term county infrastructure plans. The board is seeking both technical cost estimates and feasibility assessments — including permitting, funding likelihood and community support — to inform any recommendation.

Most of the board’s near‑term work will also fund basinwide aquatic species restoration and local projects that can proceed regardless of which large‑scale option moves forward. Gallenbor listed ongoing recommended actions that would continue under any scenario: the basinwide aquatic species restoration program, home retrofits and elevation, formation of a Chehalis Basin Flood Authority, local projects and flood‑warning improvements, floodplain and erosion management, and multi‑benefit land acquisitions.

Board members told commissioners that two of the technical packages under study include the Skookumchuck Dam option and that some board members want to see what removal would look like. A board participant identified as Jay said, “No one on the board, none of the participants have said we want it removed. But there are members of the board who want to see what that option would look like.”

Commissioners and board staff emphasized that the analysis will include implementability assessments to reflect whether an option could obtain permits, funding, or community support. Gallenbor and other presenters said removal of the Skookumchuck Dam would raise separate water‑rights and storage questions; presenters warned that off‑site storage and piping to meet municipal water rights could add hundreds of millions to costs.

The office and board are conducting public outreach: in‑person open houses are scheduled for Sept. 25 at the Veterans Museum and Oct. 8 at Montesano City Hall, with a virtual open house running from about Sept. 8 through Oct. 31. Presenters said they have been attending community events across the basin to raise awareness and gather input.

No county action or vote occurred during the update; presenters asked for questions and local input as the board finalizes its technical work and community engagement plan.

Ending: The Chehalis Basin Board expects to present its comparative analysis in December and continue public outreach this fall before any formal recommendations are forwarded to local governments or state agencies.