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KITTITAS COUNTY <br />PUBLIC WORKS STUDY SESSION MINUTES <br />COMMISSIONERS' AUDITORIUM, 205 WEST 5TH ROOM 109 <br />MONDAY 1:30 PM SEPTEMBER 28, 2026 <br />Board members present: Chairman Brett Wachsmith and Commissioner Jeff <br />Leichleiter. <br />Others: Joshua Fredrickson, Arden Thomas, Lisa Godden, Kittitas <br />County Public Works; Stephanie Hartung, Kittitas County Prosecutor's <br />Office; Kelton Montgomery, Cascade Irrigation; Larry Browne, <br />Ellensburg Water Co.; Bob Haberman, No 9 Hay Co.; Anna Layal, <br />Kittitas County Conservation District and 6 members of the public. <br />At 1:30 PM Chairman Brett Wachsmith opened the Public Works Study <br />Session. <br />NO CITIZEN COMMENTS <br />GLADMAR REACH FLOOD IMPACTS <br />Arden Thomas briefed the Board of County Commissioners regarding <br />channel changes and flood impacts in the Gladmar Reach following the <br />December 2025 flood event. Arden Thomas reported that reduced Upper <br />Yakima River flows during the annual Bureau of Reclamation fish -flush <br />operation exposed erosion and channel migration near the Cascade <br />Irrigation District diversion. The Blue Cascade Trail was not <br />directly impacted at the time of the meeting, although continued <br />erosion could affect the area. <br />Arden Thomas explained that the reach is dynamic and that the river <br />has a natural tendency to move toward former gravel -pit areas and <br />away from the Cascade Irrigation District intake. Previous flood - <br />control work following the 1996 flood was damaged in the 2009 flood. <br />Arden Thomas advised that a large river -restoration or channel - <br />control project would require substantial technical analysis, <br />permitting, funding, access, and multi -agency coordination and was <br />not expected to have a quick or permanent solution. <br />Joshua Fredrickson briefed the Board of County Commissioners that <br />Public Works reviewed available project history and identified the <br />need for a technical evaluation using Flood Control Zone District <br />resources. The evaluation would update site conditions and modeling, <br />assess sediment and channel changes, identify feasible short- and <br />long-term measures, clarify access constraints, and inform potential <br />partnerships and funding opportunities. <br />2026-09-28 MINUTES <br />