By Steven Schauer, Deputy Executive Director

It’s that time of year again! The winter solstice is upon us, and this Saturday, December 21, marks the shortest day and longest night of 2024. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the arrival of winter’s deep darkness often prompts a flurry of coping strategies. Maybe you light a forest of scented candles, binge-watch your favorite TV series for the fifth time, or lean heavily on endless mugs of hot cocoa (marshmallows optional). Whatever your method, we see you, fellow sunlight-seekers, as we collectively count down the days to brighter skies!

But don’t let the darkness get you down—the King County Flood Control District (KCFCD) has a little something to brighten your spirits. We’re celebrating this solstice with a virtual dose of sunshine: blue sky photos of the incredible rivers that flow through King County! These snapshots capture the beauty of our local waterways, whether bathed in golden light or reflecting the crisp, clear blue of a sunny day.

Share Your River Love

We’d love for you to join us in chasing away the winter blues! Share a photo of your favorite King County river—whether it’s the gorgeous Green, the picturesque Snoqualmie, the scenic Cedar, the beautiful Sammamish, the stunning South Fork Skykomish, or the glacier-hued White—and share it on social media. Be sure to:

• Tag us on Facebook, X, and our newest platform, Bluesky (our handle for each platform is @kcflooddistrict).
• Use our official hashtag: #kcflooddistrict. 
• Include a hashtag for the river in your photo (e.g., #SnoqualmieRiver, #GreenRiver).

Let’s fill our feeds with a splash of river-inspired brightness!

Keeping Our Vision Clear

While we’re talking about clear, blue skies and admiring these beautiful rivers, let’s not forget the important work the KCFCD does year-round to reduce flood risks. Even during the darkest days of winter, we’re hard at work ensuring our vision stays clear, which is building a future to withstand flood risks where thriving King County communities and healthy ecosystems coexist in harmony with area rivers. This work is an investment in brighter days ahead—for our waterways and for all of us. Learn more about our projects, grants, home elevations and buyout programs, and other Be Flood Ready resources we support and promote.

Holiday Cheer and 2025 Plans

As we near the end of the year, we want to take a moment to wish all King County residents a very Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. Please note that the KCFCD’s office will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day so that our staff can enjoy the holidays with their loved ones.

This is also our final blog post of 2024! We’ll be taking a two-week hiatus over the holidays to recharge (and maybe indulge in some marshmallow-topped cocoa ourselves). But don’t worry—we’ll be back on January 9, 2025, with fresh updates, stories, and insights to share.

So, until then, cozy up, stay safe, and don’t forget to share those river photos! Let’s make this solstice a celebration of all things bright, blue, and beautiful. Here’s to happiness, good health, and an incredible start to 2025!

Warm wishes from the King County Flood Control District Board of Supervisors and Staff.