SPOKANE, Wash — Rain, rain go away – or at least, let up for now, because the amount of rain is the biggest factor when it comes to flooding in this area, according to a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey.
All that water has to go somewhere. So how saturated is the soil now, and does that make any difference with more rain in the forecast?
KREM 2 spoke with a hydrologist who studied the Spokane area and its aquifer. While the soil is saturated, it's not going to have the biggest impact, the hydrologist said.
On top of that, soil varies across our area, so saturation can vary case by case. Some parts of Spokane have bedrock closer to the surface, like the South Hill, and water won't infiltrate the ground as well.
The Spokane aquifer out towards Spokane Valley, however, is very permeable.
The Spokane County's Water Program Manager said some parts of the community drain better than others. He said roads flooded because torrential rainfall overwhelmed the drainage system.
The big takeaway is that it's all about the amount of rain we receive. The USGS said soils will have some effect, but it's not the primary factor.
