The Floods of '96: Moscow, Idaho and Vicinity
The floods in the Pacific Northwest occurred over a 3-day period (8-10 of February, 1996); however, the conditions that caused them started several weeks earlier. Over a 10 day period (20-30 January) 71 inches of snow fell at my weather station. This was followed by a week of sub-zero temperatures (my low was -18F). Then it started snowing on 4-Feb. which changed to rain on 5-Feb. The rain continued until 10-Feb. with a total 6 day amount of 3.9 inches. Also, during this time the highs were in the 40s and the lows in the mid 30s, causing the snow base to decrease from 26 inches to 10 inches.
The University of Idaho canceled classes on Friday the 9th. The last time the University did not have classes was when Mt. St. Helen's erupted in May, 1980. However, the University was closed in early January, 1990 because of a wind storm that blocked campus with many fallen trees. The winds were clocked at over 110 mph.
It is a simple lesson in Geology 101, a floodplain is "the area next to a stream that floods." I drill this into the students as the MOST important single thing they will learn from this course. I do this in hopes they will not build or support housing on or near floodplains. They are also taught that we CAN NOT totally stop flooding, and in the end the best thing to do is give the floodplain back to the river as the best from of flood control (i.e., during floods water can be stored on the floodplain and soak into the ground recharging groundwater supplies).
The photos below were taken on the 9th and 10th on the east side of Moscow and in Moscow.
Paradise Creek restoration project. The stream is over its banks and on its floodplain.
The bridge over Paradise Creek at Joseph Street. The road was closed for a couple of days. The house in the background was recently built and is clearly on the floodplain (defines as "the area next to a river that floods").
Sandbags were used here on Lemhi Street to try to prevent water from entering the houses built on the floodplain. Also, a ditch was dug through the road to help drain the low areas (i.e., the floodplain).
Another view of the restored section of Paradise Creek. The pink sign on the left is the official notice for a rezoning of the land next to the stream so more houses can be built (and flooded in the future!).
A much better use of a floodplain is as a park. This is looking downstream on Paradise Creek as it flows into Mountain View Park and, in turn, Moscow.
This is Mill Road looking south. The Elk's golf course (another good use for a floodplain) is on the left. Although hard to see, several cars are stuck in the water at the bridge over the flooding stream.
In the foreground are the remains of a bridge that has washed out and covered by water in the background.
Robinson Park flooded. Until recently, this section of the park was a lake. During the flood water backed up to reform for the lake. The bank on the far left was the old earthen dam, and Robinson Park road runs on top of it.
Another major problem was landslides. This is a small slide that blocked and closed the road to our house (Robinson Park road).
Another landslide along Robinson Park road.
Also, many gullies formed in the gravel roads as the snow- and water-filled ditches over flowed their banks. These are two small ditches (1 by 3 feet) that formed in front of our driveway.