Free sand bag materials located at county-owned public works maintenance shops

CHELAN COUNTY — Free sandbags are available to residents in unincorporated and incorporated areas of Chelan County dealing with high runoff and snowmelt issues.

Residents can pick up and fill sandbags in their  public works maintenance district during open hours, which are 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on weekdays. Once at the maintenance shop yard, look for the large sand pile, where the bags will be located. Residents should bring their own shovels, gloves and other equipment to use when filling burlap bags with sand.

Where to get materials, by area:

District 1: 210 Easy Street, Wenatchee

District 2: 5815 Wescott Drive, Cashmere

District 3: 10210 County Shop Road, Leavenworth

District 4: 9486 Entiat River Road, Ardenvoir

District 5: 23290 Highway 97A, Chelan

Chelan County offered a number of tips from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

1. Sandbags stacked in a single row work well in flood areas where there is no streamflow velocity or danger from floating debris, such as logs and tree stumps, or from wave action.

1. Fill the bag one-half to two-thirds full and leave it untied, folding the open end of the bag under the filled portion during stacking. The untied end should face upstream.

1. Remember to remove any debris from the areas where bags are to be placed and to fill the low spots first before placing bags the full length of the area to be raised.

1.  Place the bags lengthwise and parallel to the direction of the flow. Partially overlap the bags to form a tight seal. Compact and shape each bag by walking on it.

1. Single stacks generally are not stacked more than three rows high. Go higher to protect structures such as homes.