Editor:
There is a solution to the problem of flooding in King Salmon during high tides. Most if not all of the flooding comes through the canal system. A lock could be built at the entrance to the canal system next to Gill’s.
The lock could be computer controlled with water level sensors. The lock would remain open for most of the tide cycle, so the water could be refreshed and fish could swim in and out. When the level drops to 3 feet or so above mean sea level (msl), the inner gate would close. When it rose to 7 feet above msl, the outer gate would close. Floating docks on each end of the lock would allow users to tie up and activate the lock.
This solution would also alleviate the need for dredging the canals. Thus, people with deep draft boats such as mine could get into and out of their berths regardless of the tide state, and the boat would not be aground at low tide.
A lock may appear to be too expensive, but would be more cost effective than raising the houses above ground, raising street levels, or building levies.
Alling Foreman, King Salmon
This article appears in Arcata Rises Up for Fire Victims.