September 16, 1997 in City

West Seattle Slide Caused By Springs

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Last week’s mudslide in West Seattle that buried a private road and cut off traffic access to 14 homes was caused by natural underground water springs, a Seattle Public Utilities spokeswoman said.

Pooling water from springs in the steep slope above Maplewood Place caused the cascade of gooey mud just south of the Fauntleroy ferry terminal, said D’Anne Mount.

“It finally got too heavy and broke out,” Mount said.

Neighbors had suspected a broken water main caused Thursday’s slide, but Mount said none in the area were damaged.

Last winter’s rainstorms may have contributed to the water collecting in the hillside, she added.

Crews cleared the mud Friday and reopened the road Saturday. They also built a temporary wall to divert water into existing drainage areas, Mount said.

City engineers this week plan to discuss building a permanent restraining wall and some minor drainage areas, she said.

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