By Steven Schauer, Deputy Executive Director
“All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”
— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
These words from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. perfectly reflect the spirit of Labor Day, a national holiday to honor the contributions of workers who build, sustain, and protect our communities. Labor Day reminds us that the dignity of work lies not in accolades or visibility, but in the enduring impact it has on people’s lives.
In that spirit, the King County Flood Control District (KCFCD) will observe Labor Day on Monday, September 1, 2025, and we proudly recognize the behind-the-scenes dedication of the King County Water and Land Resources Division’s operations and maintenance (O&M) staff. King County is the primary service provider to the KCFCD, and these O&M professionals are the unsung heroes of flood protection. Without fanfare, they work year-round to inspect, maintain, and repair levees, revetments, and other critical infrastructure that help keep our residents safe and our communities resilient.
Flood Protection: A Year-Round Commitment
Levees and revetments form the backbone of the flood risk reduction system throughout King County. They are designed to control and direct river flows, reducing the risk of floods during high-water events. But these structures don’t operate on autopilot. They rely on vigilant care and timely repairs, tasks carried out quietly but skillfully by King County’s O&M teams.
Maintaining this infrastructure is a year-round endeavor funded by the KCFCD. From vegetation management and erosion repair to debris removal and flood facility maintenance, every task supports the structural integrity of these systems. And every action, no matter how routine it may seem, plays a vital role in helping to protect people, homes, businesses, and ecosystems.
Preventing the Worst by Maintaining the Best
O&M crews conduct regular inspections to detect early signs of problems – such as animal burrows, water seepage, or erosion – before they can escalate into catastrophic failures. These early interventions help prevent small issues from becoming major hazards, and that foresight is invaluable during storm season.
Vegetation control, for example, ensures that levees are accessible and that problems aren’t hidden under brush. Flap gates and outfall control devices must be cleaned and maintained to function during high-flow events. Even changes in land use near flood facilities, like new development, requires the crews to reassess existing infrastructure and potentially adapt it for future needs.
Beyond Maintenance: Planning for a Resilient Future
In addition to on-the-ground work, funding from the KCFCD contributes to long-term planning, emergency preparedness, and effectiveness monitoring. The efforts of King County staff, as service provider to the KCFCD, helps ensure our flood protection systems evolve as our environment and communities change.
Through monitoring programs, they collect valuable data about how flood projects are performing and how they affect rivers, fish habitat, and surrounding landscapes. This information is essential for designing more effective, sustainable infrastructure in the years ahead.
A Labor of Quiet Heroism
The O&M staff may not appear in headlines or public ceremonies, but their work quietly safeguards thousands of lives and billions in property throughout King County. Their labor, often performed in challenging weather and conditions, reflects a deep commitment to public service.
As Labor Day approaches, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the King County O&M teams whose hard work powers our flood risk reduction systems. Their efforts uplift humanity, embody excellence, and allow residents to live, work, and thrive with a sense of safety and security.
On behalf of the King County Flood Control District, thank you for all that you do.
