Wildland - 8-9/2000

Event Summary:    $1,000,000,000.00 - Over 1,541 fires burned in Idaho in 2000, scorching over 7 million acres.  A federal disaster declaration was declared on September 1, 2000.  Several times DEQ issued air quality advisories due to intense smoke; air cleaners and fans were sent to Salmon on August 21, 2000.  Over 3 million acres of public and state lands were closed, including more than 2,000 miles of trails, 80 miles of river, and nearly all public airstrips.  The Salmon River was closed for 26 days, affecting 4,000 outfitter floaters, 2300 private floaters, and 140 commercial jet boaters, resulting in lost income and employment for local communities.  13 fires caused evacuations of 14-16 locations,  109 structures were destroyed.  Critical wildlife habitat was destroyed.

Flood - May-June 1998

Event Summary:   Two weeks of rain fell on a melting melting snowpack, causing flooding along the Snake, Weiser, Payette and Boise River drainages for the second year in a row.  A levee break near Eagle Island caused flooding of nearby homes.

County Summary: Increased flows in the Boise River due to snowmelt and reservoir discharge caused flooding along the Greenbelt.  Two sections of the Greenbelt were closed, from Leadville to the old theatre, and between River Run and Powerline Corridor.  Homes in subdivisions along the river flooded, such as at River Run and Wood Duck Island.  Barber Park was closed and softball games at Willow Lane Athletic Complex were cancelled.  Two large trees that fell into the Boise River caused a breach in the levee at the head of Eagle Island.  60 residents were evacuated, and the Riviera Mobile Home Park and nearby homes and farmlands were flooded with a foot of water.

The Idaho Statesman, May 15, 17, 28, June 2, 4, 1998

Flood - September 11, 1997

Event Summary:    $57,000.00 - Flash flooding from thunderstorms caused damage in the Boise Foothills and around Pocatello

County Summary: $57,000.00 - Cloudburst dropped .40" of rain in nine minutes on the Foothills area burned by the 1996 Eighth Street Fire, flooding homes, Highlands Elementary School, and streets in the Crane Creek and Hulls Gulch areas. Floodwaters were contained in several holding ponds.  15 people were evacuated and sheltered at Les Bois Junior High.

The Idaho Statesman September 12 and 13, 1997,  January 25, 1998

Wind - April 20, 1997

Event Summary:  Tornado in SE Boise caused property damage

County Summary: A small tornado hit neighborhoods in SE Boise near Bergeson and Apple street, causing minor property damage in an area 400 yards long and 30 yards wide.

The Idaho Statesman  4/21/97

Flood - March-July, 1997

Event Summary:    $50,000,000.00 - Rapid melt of a record snowmelt led to flooded rivers throughout southern  Idaho.  The Snake River Basin received significant snowfall during the winter of 1996-97, and in higher elevations the snow pack exceeded 250% of normal, causing above normal runoff during the spring melt.  Reservoir flows were increased to allow storage capacity, producing the highest flows on the Snake River in 70 years.  During June, the spring snowmelt caused extensive flooding along 225 miles of the Snake River and many of its tributaries, from Roberts to Blackfoot.  In places, floodwaters ran as far as a mile away from the river and 5' deep.  Damage was extensive to numerous roads, canals, farmland and over 300 homes.  A Federal Disaster was declared on  July 7, 1997, for seven counties in  SE Idaho:  Bingham, Bonneville, Fremont,  Jefferson, Madison, Butte and Custer.  Approximately 500 people were evacuated in Jefferson and Bingham counties; more than 50,000 acres of agricultural land was flooded; and over nearly $1.3 million in grants and loans had been distributed.  Increased flows on the Boise River damaged sections of the Greenbelt.

County Summary: Increased flow on the Boise River damaged parts of the Greenbelt, eroding riverbanks and destroying a 100' section at Logger's Creek.

Flood - New Year's Day Storm  -  January 1-5, 1997

Event Summary:    $65,000,000.00 - New Year's day floods in the Weiser, Payette and Salmon River drainages of southwestern Idaho caused record flooding and numerous mudslides.  Warm temperatures combined with a rainfall 4-6 times the normal amount; the resulting snowmelt triggered devastating floods, mudslides and avalanches, extensively damaging communities and infrastructure throughout Idaho.  The community of South Banks was condemned because of extensive slide damage.  Over 400 miles of roads and several railroad lines were blocked or destroyed, stranding over 10,000 holiday travelers in western Idaho. Residents of McCall, Cascade, Banks, Lowman and Garden Valley were isolated. Rivers were "running like chocolate," carrying huge trees, mud and boulders; the Snake River at Hells Canyon Dam crested at 101,728 cfs January 1, nearly 30,000 cfs over its previous record level on  2/23/82.  The crash of a plane carrying 5 people from  Boise to McCall, killing all, was a result of the weather.  Governor Batt declared 13 counties a disaster: Gem,  Adams,  Washington, Idaho, Clearwater, Valley, Payette, Elmore, Latah, Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone and Boise.  A Federal disaster was declared on January 4, 1997

County Summary:  Increased flows in the Boise River to make room in reservoirs flooded homes and businesses along Eagle Island. A dike near South Eagle Road broke, flooding the road and surrounding fields with 1' of water.  Residents were evacuated as two homes were flooded and others threatened.  Parts of the Greenbelt along the Boise River were closed, from the Loggers Creek Footbridge to the Shakespeare Festival Theater and near Veterans Memorial Park

The Idaho Statesman January 10, 11, 1997

Wildland - August 26, 1996

Event Summary:   8th Street Fire: $2,600,000.00

Two wildfires threatened neighborhoods in  Boise and Kuna.  The Eighth Street Fire in the Boise Foothills burned 1 home and over 15,300 acres.  A fire in Kuna threatened a neighborhood.

County Summary: $2,000,000.00 - The Eighth Street Fire in the Boise Foothills burned 15,300 acres.  Electricity to 10,000 Boise homes and businesses was cut.  One home in the Highlands valued at $700,000 was completely destroyed, others were threatened.  Residents of Table Rock,  Highlands,  Karney Lakes and Robie Creek Road were evacuated.   In the Foothills, more than 55 miles of hiking, biking and motorcyle trails and 6 bridges were destroyed.   Winter habitat and feed for 280 species of wildlife  burned.  Fearing a repeat of the 1959 flash flooding and mudslides in the Foothills, federal, state and local agencies cooperated in a $9 million restoration project.  Flood control efforts included contour felling of 300 acres of trees, aerial seeding and damming of streams.  Trail reconstruction and terracing cost an additional $900,000.   

The Idaho Statesman, August 27, 28 and 30, September 1 and 12, 1996

Flood - May 1993

Event Summary:    Boise River flood

County Summary: Boise River floodwaters soaked 10 Eagle homes, 1 woman drowned.

Drought - 1987-1992

Event Summary:  7 year drought, from 1987-1992.    This period saw the worst water shortage since the 1977 drought.   In 1987, Idaho requested $5.8 million in Emergency Conservation Funds to aid drought-stricken farmers.   In 1988, in Oneida County the Deep Creek Reservoir was shut off half-way through irrigation season because the water level was so low it was filling the sprinkler system with mud and silt.   Throughout the drought, reservoirs were consistently below capacity, resulting in irrigation water ending earlier than normal, crops being plowed under or not planted at all, and recreational activities being curtailed.   The drought caused high water temperatures in rivers, and the lack of perennial grass growth caused livestock to be removed from public lands early, while wildlife starved in many wintering areas.  Conservation measures were instituted for residential and commercial use.  Wells used for residential and agricultural sectors ran dry, and a moratorium on new wells was instituted.   In 1992 alone, $500 million was lost in agricultural production.

County Summary: 7 year drought (1987-1992) saw the worst water shortage in the state since the 1977 drought.

The Idaho Statesman; Idaho State Journal; Idaho Press Tribune; Times-News; Spokesman

Wildland - July 1987

Event Summary: Foothills fire causes property damage in north Boise

County Summary: Foothills fire burns 1,300 acres, destroying a home, a garage, a city fire truck and four cars.  State Disaster declaration 6/29/87

The  Idaho Statesman August 27, 1987

Flood - February 1986

Event Summary:  A warming trend melted low-elevation snow packs, triggering flooding and mudslides throughout western Idaho.   Over $20,000 was spent on flood control efforts.

County Summary: Melting snow flooded North Boise from creeks in the Foothills.  Streets in downtown  Boise were closed to form a temporary diversion cancel to channel water from Cottonwood Creek to the Boise River.  The canal carried an est. 800,000 gallons of water an hour.

Pestilence - 1985

Event Summary:   Grasshopper infestation led to pesticide spraying on over 6 million acres of range; Ada, Elmore, Owyhee and Minidoka counties declared a disaster by USDA, state disaster declaration  6/18/85

County Summary: Grasshopper infestation; USDA declared a disaster.

The Idaho Statesman 3/1/86

Flood - June 1983

Event Summary:    Boise River flood:  $146,900.00

County Summary: $146,900.00 - Melting snow caused by high temperatures over Memorial Day weekend led to the raising of the  Boise River to a peak runoff of 24,294 cfs, considered a 50 yr flood.  Flooding damaged the  Greenbelt and river banks along  Barber Park , Parkcenter, Garden City and  Eagle Island.  Homes along the river were flooded, and residents of  Eagle Island used boats to travel.  Cottonwood trees fell into the river as it cut out the banks, causing damming and further flooding.  Municipal Park lost a chunk of land 300' long and 55' deep.  Damage amounts include $20,000 for personal property damage, $45,000 for government employee overtime, and $51,000 for erosion repair and flood prevention work.

Stacy, Susan M.; The Idaho Statesman 6/10 and 6/13, 1983

Flood - February 1982

Event Summary:   Flooding in western Idaho from ice jams and swollen rivers and creeks.

County Summary: Numerous mudslides closed Hwy 55 three times in one month; erosion from floodwaters caused damage to numerous streets in the Foothills.

The  Idaho Statesman,  2/17/82

Landslide - November 1980

Event Summary:  Landslides at Warm Springs Mesa

County Summary: A 300' section of land between Starcrest Drive and  Warm Springs Avenue slid, closing Starcrest.

Northern Testing Laboratories

Flood -  January 5-12, 1979

Event Summary:   Rain and melting snow ran off frozen ground, causing creeks in the Boise Foothills to rise and a 15 mile long ice jam in the Snake River to break up, resulting in flooding in Boise, Weiser and Blackfoot.  Schools throughout southwest Idaho were closed. Farms, crops, homes and businesses were damaged.  Washington and Bingham counties received a state disaster declaration 1/8/79

County Summary: In Boise, rain and melting snow caused flooding in North and  West Boise from Foothills creeks.  Over a dozen homes in the Highlands near Crane Creek were hardest hit, flooding basements, yards and streets despite sandbagging efforts.  Flooding was also seen along Polecat Gulch, Stewart Gulch and Cottonwood Creek north of Boise, and Threemile, Fivemile, Eightmile and Tenmile Creeks south of the airport, flooding homes, businesses and farmlands. Eckert Road bridge was closed.

The Idaho Statesman, Jan. 12, 13 and 16, 1979; USGS "Winter Water - the Flooding at Boise, Idaho 11/12/79"

Flood -  May 26, 1973

Event Summary:  A break in the  Ridenbaugh Canal flooded SE Boise

County Summary: A 30' wide break in the  Ridenbaugh Canal flooded the Triangle Dairy and 15 houses in SE Boise with muddy, waist-deep water.  The affected area was between Broadway/Linden/Leadville

The  Idaho Statesman May 27 and 29, 1973

Landslide - March-May 1973

Event Summary:  Landslides at Warm Springs  Mesa

County Summary: Landslides along Warm Springs Mesa, some over 100 yards long, closed  Starcrest Drive several times over a three month period.  The area was stabilized by installing 17 horizontal drains to release water.

Northern Testing Laboratories, Inc; The Idaho Statesman 5/19/73

Flood -  January 17, 1971

Event Summary:   Heavy rain and snow over four days caused flooding in southwest Idaho

County Summary: Basements, yards and low-lying roads were flooded.  In Orchard, 3 of 30 homes were evacuated by rowboat.  Floodwaters covered approximately 160 acres in the town.

The Idaho Statesman  1/18/71

Flood - January 22, 1969

Event Summary:   Heavy rain and snow over five days caused creeks and rivers to rise rapidly, leading to flooding in the Boise watershed and throughout the state.

County Summary: Crane Creek, Cottonwood Creek, and other drainages in the Foothills flooded, with the Cottonwood Creek flow being measured at 30% above normal.  The Boise River reached 3,643 cfs, three times normal.  Flooding was mostly confined to roads and yards in North Boise.

The Idaho Statesman 1/22/69

Wind - June 2, 1967

Event Summary:    Boise Tornado - A tornado in  Boise caused a small amount of property damage.

County Summary: A tornado in Boise touched down near the  Boise Airport , then moved across West Boise towards Horseshoe Bend.  The tornado tore off a patio and damaged several roofs, hurling the patio roof through the windows at  McKinley School.  Windows were broken in cars and houses, and power lines were damaged.

The Idaho Statesman, June 3 and 4, 1967

Flood -  May 22, 1965

Event Summary:    $15,000.00 - Flooding caused by break in levee near Eagle Island.

County Summary: 300 acres of farmland and several houses near Eagle Island were flooded by the Boise River when a levee broke.

The Idaho Statesman, USACE "Flood Plain Information Boise, Idaho and Vicinity"

Flood - January 29, 1965

Event Summary:    $1,400,000.00 - Flooding from Foothill Creeks and Snake River tributaries

County Summary: $110,000.00 - Flooding from Cottonwood and Dry Creeks, Crane, Stuart and Hulls Gulch.  Damage mostly were for repair to bridges and cleanup.

The Idaho Statesman 9/14/81; UACE "Preliminary Post-Flood Report, January 1965 floods"

Flood -  December 21-23, 1964

Event Summary:    $21,000,000.00 - During the end of December 1964, warm weather combined with heavy rains and melting snow, causing flooding along the Payette, Big Wood, Little Wood, Portneuf, Clearwater and Boise River drainages.  Hwy 21 and 15, US 95N and 30E were closed.  Over 100 homes were damaged, numerous bridges were washed out, and thousands of acres of farmlands were flooded.  2 deaths were attributed to the flood.  A state of emergency was declared.

County Summary:   Boise was isolated as surrounding roads and highways were closed, train and bus service cut off. The peak discharge of the Boise River was est. to be a 100 year flood.

Flood - 2/1-3/1963

Event Summary:    $4,685,000.00 - Heavy snowfall followed by heavy rain caused snowmelt, and combined with large ice jams in several rivers,led to severe flooding in the Clearwater, Boise, Payette, Weiser, Portneuf and Snake River drainages.  Ice jams and high water in the Clearwater River raised the Hwy 95 bridge a foot off of its pilings.  An federal disaster declaration was issued February 15, 1963, for eight Idaho counties due to flooding: Fremont, Madison, Blaine, Owyhee, Bannock, Caribou, Gooding, and Lincoln.  Statewide highway damage was est. at $800,000; damage to county roads est. at $700,000.

County Summary: In Ada County, Meridian streets and homes were flooded, farmland along Hwy 20-26 flooded.  Canals in the area were running 3' above normal.  Several highways were closed, bridges were washed away, and homes had basements and yards 

The Idaho Statesman Feb. 2, 3, 8, 1963

Flood - September 22 and 26, 1959

Event Summary:    $46,000.00 - Additional flash flooding from storms in the Foothills led to Boise's second flood in one month.

County Summary: $46,000.00 - East Boise suffered two more floods caused when heavy storms caused flooding along Cottonwood Creek and other Foothill drainages.  This flood brought more water and less mud than the August 20 flood.  The force of the water broke dikes across from the Armory on Reserve Street.    Hwy 21 was closed because of debris flows.  The area affected was mainly in the North End, from Fourth to Eighth Streets and Thatcher to Resseguie; also from Reserve Street to MK Plaza to Eighth Street.   After these floods, several local and federal agencies cooperated in the "Boise Front Watershed Restoration Project" involving contour trenching, furrowing, seeding with trees and grasses and building protective fences, at a cost of approx. $165,000.

The Idaho Statesman 12/15/59, 7/14/60,  USDA "Report on the Boise, Idaho Flood August 20, 1959" and The Boise, Idaho Floods 1959"; Our Public Lands, Winter 1966

Flood  - August 20, 1959

Event Summary:    The Cloudburst Floods  - $500,000.00

Severe thunderstorms in the Boise Foothills, already bare of vegetation from the Lucky Peak Fire, led to flash flooding and mud flows into Boise.

County Summary: $500,000.00 - Called "The Cloudburst Floods" or "The Big Mud Bath of 1959", this event was caused by severe thunderstorms in the NE Boise Foothills.  Estimated to be a 50-100 yr rainfall event, .30" of rain fell in 5 minutes at Deer Point.  Peak flow on Cottonwood Creek est. at 3,000 cfs, floodwaters were carried by other Foothills creeks draining Shaw Mountain and Aldape Summit.  Also a factor in the flooding and mudslides were the earlier Lucky Peak fires, which had denuded the Foothills of vegetation.  Debris flows over 10" deep filled basements and yards in north and east Boise.  Floodwaters were diverted along Broadway Avenue to the Boise River.  Approximately 500 houses were damaged by mud up to 10" deep; over 160 acres were covered by silt and debris flows.  Hardest hit areas were Reserve Street, East Jefferson, East State, Krall and East Bannock, and Avenues D and E and Warm Springs Avenue.  The agriculture area between Lucky Peak Dam and East Boise suffered extensive property, crop and livestock losses.  The Boise police clubhouse on Mountain Cove road was destroyed, and the Idaho National Guard headquarters on Reserve Street was inundated, breaking out the windows, filling the basement with several feet of water, and destroying equipment and records.

The Idaho Statesman 8/21/59, 12/15/59, 7/14/80, 9/12/96; USDA "Report on the Boise, Idaho Flood August 20, 1959" and The Boise, Idaho Floods 1959" USACE "Flood Plain Info Boise, Idaho and Vicinity"

Wildland Fire - August 3, 1959

Event Summary:  The Lucky Peak Fire - The Lucky Peak Fire burned 9,500 acres

County Summary: The Lucky Peak Fire - grass fires burned a combined total of 9,500 acres bare of vegetation.  This loss of vegetation contributed to the August and September 1959 flash floods in Boise.

Our Public Lands, Winter 1966

Flood - June 12, 1958

Event Summary: 2.23" of rain fell in Boise in 12 hours, causing flooding and damaging crops.

County Summary: A rainstorm that dumped over 2" of rain in Boise in a 12 hour period caused extensive flooding and heavy crop damage.  Homes, roads and storm basins were flooded, several families were evacuated.  The Boise Bench was hit hardest, with one family on Atlantic Street evacuated when their house was flooded with over a foot of water.

The Idaho Statesman 6/13/58

Flood - February 25, 1957

Event Summary:    Heavy rain combined with ice breakup on rivers caused flooding in the Little Wood River, Portneuf River, and Weiser River basins.

County Summary: Parts of Eagle flooded by Dry Creek.

The Idaho Statesman 2/27/57

Flood - August 1, 1955

Event Summary:    New York Canal break flooded homes and farms, reduced irrigation water flow to Canyon County farms.

County Summary: 200' section of the New York Canal broke 7 miles SE of Boise and flooded 200-300 acres of farmland with water, mud and rock.  A dozen homes near the break were flooded with 3' of water and families were evacuated.

The Idaho Statesman 8/2/55

Flood - 1949

Event Summary:   Sand Creek flood

County Summary: North End of Boise flooded from Sand Creek.

Severe Weather - February 15, 1949

Event Summary:   Severe winter storm November 1948-February 1949

County Summary: November 1948 - February 1949 saw weekly snow storms in the valley; 14.5" of snow was dumped in one night.  There was so much snow that roofs collapsed; Morrison-Knudsen used front-end loaders to haul snow to the Boise River.  The Boise Water Corp. lost 25 underground water meters because the frost line was so deep that winter.

The Idaho Statesman 12/31/81

Earthquake -  9/24/1947

Event Summary:   Earthquake in central Idaho caused slight damage.  Magnitude 4.7, Intensity VI.

County Summary: Earthquake in central  Idaho caused cracks in a brick building in Boise

Seismicity of the  United States

Flood - April-June 1943

Event Summary:    $1,000,000.00 - Snowmelt combined with rain led to flooding along the Boise and Payette River basins ranging from Boise, Eagle, Emmett, down to Notus.  Throughout the area, over 200 families were evacuated, 11 highway bridges across the Boise River were closed for five days or more.  Hwy 21 was closed for over a week because of washouts from flooding creeks, isolating  Idaho City and  Boise Basin communities.  Of the damage, over $649,000 was agricultural: over 10,000 acres were flooded.  This flood provided the final impetus to build Lucky Peak Dam.

County Summary: Swelled with snowmelt and rain, the Boise River reached a peak flow of 21,000 cfs, the third largest recorded flood, and channel capacity was exceeded for 45 days.  150 people were evacuated in Eagle; military reinforcements were called in to shore up bridges, the Chinese gardens, and levees along the river valley.  Flooded areas in Ada County included the Plantation Golf Course; the Old Soldiers Home at Veterans Park; the Idaho Fish and Game Hatchery access road, and numerous businesses.  Basements along the river were flooded when sewer systems took in water at their riverbank outlets.

Stacy, Susan M.; The  Idaho Statesman  4/20/43,  6/10/83 ; USACE "Flood Plain Information  Boise,  Idaho and Vicinity" and "Flood Damage Report: the Boise River Flood"

Flood -  Boise and Payette River floods - May 2, 1938

Event Summary:  

County Summary: Warmer weather and heavy rains that dropped over 1.18" of water in  Boise in 24 hours led to flooding along the Boise River and its tributaries.  Peak flow was est. at 19,000 cfs.  Numerous dikes were breached, hundreds of acres of farmland were flooded, but according to officials, "no appreciable damage" was done outside of the agricultural sector.

Stacy, Susan M.; The  Idaho Statesman,  5/2/38; USACE "Flood Plain Information  Payette,  Idaho and Vicinity"

Flood - April 25, 1936

Event Summary: Boise River flood.  Rain and melting snow combined to cause the Boise River to flood with a peak discharge est. at 19,700 cfs, the sixth largest recorded flood.  2 deaths were reported caused by the flood.  Hundreds of acres of agricultural land in the valley was flooded along the river, through Eagle, Star, Linder and Parma.  Spring runoff also led to flooding along the Payette River and Soldier Creek.  After the flood, the legislature appropriated $10,000 to improve the river channel, modify the bridges, and clean out timber and debris from the river and its banks.

County Summary: Boise  River flood from rain and melting snow.  The river had a peak est. discharge of 17,700 cfs, its sixth largest recorded flood.  1,100 WPA workers manned the dikes through Boise.  2 deaths were reported:  1 man drowned at the Broadway Bridge, 1 WPA worker was struck by lightning (two coworker received burns, but survived).  The Strawberry Glen bridge was washed out, and the highway east of Linder bridge was destroyed by floodwaters.  Roads along the river in Boise were washed out, and the Davis Meat Packing Plant was inundated by water, damaging the goods stored there.

Stacy, Susan M.; The Idaho Statesman, 4/21/36, 4/22/36, 4/26/36, 4/27/36, 5/2/38; USACE "Flood Plain Information Boise, Idaho and Vicinity"

Flood - Boise River flood - April 23, 1934

Event Summary:   

County Summary: High water during spring runoff led to flooding along the  Boise River; riverbanks through Boise bolstered with sandbag levees.

The Idaho Statesman 3/21/66

Flood - Boise River flood -  March 20, 1932

Event Summary:   

County Summary: Highways and streets in Boise flooded

USACE "Flood Plain Information  Boise, Idaho and Vicinity"

Flood - May 10, 1928

Event Summary:  Boise River flood

County Summary: Boise River flood, est. peak discharge 16,000 cfs.: source: USACE "Flood Plain Information Boise, Idaho and Vicinity"

Flood - June 2, 1925

Event Summary:   Cloudburst floods Warm Springs area

County Summary: Cloudburst caused flooding of homes along Warm Springs Avenue with debris, silt and brush.

USACE "Flood Plain Information Boise, Idaho and Vicinity"

Flood - July 14, 1923

Event Summary:    Cottonwood Creek flood

County Summary:  Cottonwood Creek flooded, washing out part of  Idaho City road and flooding houses on  Warm Springs Avenue

USACE "Flood Plain Information  Boise,  Idaho and Vicinity"

Flood - 1921

Event Summary:   Boise River flood

County Summary: Boise River flood, peak discharge est. at 18,700 cfs; no injuries

The  Idaho Statesman 4/21/27

Flood - August 1920

Event Summary:  Cottonwood Creek flood

County Summary: Cottonwood Creek flooded from sudden storm, discharge est. 3000 cfs, 160 acres flooded

Earthquake - May 12, 1916

Event Summary:   Earthquake in SW Idaho , centered near Cascade.  This quake was felt from Anaconda, Montana, to Reno, Nevada, an area over 50,000 miles, and measured 6.1 on the Richter scale.

County Summary: An earthquake centered near Cascade shook Boise with enough force to to topple chimneys, shake elevators and buildings, and send people into the streets.  The water in the pool at the Natatorium resembled the motion of a tsunami, "ducking" swimmers and splashing over the north end of the pool.  One Boise woman who had moved here from  California pinned a farewell note on her breast and sat in her chair, waiting for her death.

Harpham, Lynda Koll; The Idaho Statesman  5/13/16;  1/31/84 ; Earthquake History of the  United States

Severe Weather - January-February 1916

Event Summary:    Severe winter storm in western Idaho resulting in 1 reported death, travel cut off.

County Summary: Severe winter storm: at  Boise , 20" of snow fell in 3 weeks

The  Idaho Statesman

Earthquake - October 2, 1915

Event Summary:  Earthquake in SW Idaho; felt in Boise, Nampa, Payette, Caldwell and Weiser; also felt as far as WA, OR, NV, AZ, CA and UT.  Despite being felt throughout such a large area, no major damage was reported.

County Summary: Earthquake with epicenter approx. 80 miles southeast of Spokane, knocked chickens off their perches, broke dishes, caused minor damage to buildings. The quake shook Arrowrock Dam while three workers were working on it, but caused no damage.

The Idaho Statesman 1/31/84

Flood - Hulls Gulch flash flood - July 24, 1913

Event Summary:    

County Summary: Flash flood at Hulls Gulch and 8th Street.  Flooded 25 blocks of homes with water and 6" of mud; washed out Boise City Water Corp reservoir (500,000 gal).

USACE "Flood Plain Information  Boise, Idaho and Vicinity"

Flood -  June 20, 1909

Event Summary:   Cloudbursts caused flooding in Foothills drainages

County Summary: Cloudbursts cause flooding in East Boise and military reservation in Foothills from flooded creeks, "thousands" in damages.

USACE "Flood Plain Information Boise, Idaho and Vicinity"

Flood - February 6- April 15, 1907

Event Summary:    Boise River flood, peak discharge est. 16,100 cfs

County Summary: Houses flooded along Warm Springs Avenue

USACE "Flood Plain Information Boise,  Idaho and Vicinity"

Flood -  April 15, 1904

Event Summary: Boise River flood

County Summary: Heavy rains and spring runoff swelled river to est. 19,200 cfs.  In Boise, businesses and goods damaged; basements flooded.

Avalanche - January-February 1904

Event Summary:   Snow slides

County Summary: Snow slide near Meadhows @ Werdenhoff Mine killed 1, injured 2

The Idaho Statesman

Flood -  April 19, 1897

Event Summary:    Boise River flood

County Summary: Boise River flood following spring runoff; peak discharge est. 29,500 cfs, second largest known flood.

USACE "Flood Plain Information Boise,  Idaho and Vicinity"

Flood - April 1897

Event Summary:    Cottonwood Creek flood

County Summary: Spring runoff caused flooding of Cottonwood Creek, washed out 40' of the new flume above  Warm Springs Avenue. Floodwaters did "considerable" damage to private property, forced streetcars out of service.

The  Idaho Statesman 6/26/72 and 10/6/75

Flood - May 14-June 17, 1896

Event Summary:   Boise and Payette River floods

County Summary: Peak spring runoff of Boise River was 35,500 cfs.  Considered the greatest flood of known magnitude; however, damage was limited to bridges and agricultural land and structures.

Stacy, Susan M.; USACE "Flood Plain Information Boise, Idaho and Vicinity"; The Idaho Statesman, April 21, 

Earthquake - December 24, 1894

Event Summary:   Earthquakes in Boise

County Summary: Three small quakes were felt in Boise on Christmas Eve; slight damage to buildings

The Idaho Statesman, 10/1/89

Flood - January-March 1894

Event Summary:   Cottonwood Creek flooding

County Summary: During a high water year, Cottonwood Creek flooded twice.  During the January flood, the flume held, but during the March flood, with heavy runoff, floodwaters tore out 200' of the flume south of Warm Springs Avenue.

USACE "Flood Plain Information Boise,  Idaho and Vicinity"; The  Idaho Statesman 10/6/75

Flood - May 1892

Event Summary:    Cottonwood Creek flood

County Summary: Cottonwood Creek experienced a heavy flood, breaking the wood and stone flume built in 1881 at a cost of $523.50.  In September 1892, the City Council authorized building a stone aqueduct for $5,000 ($1.97 per foot), that would carry water from the creek to the river.

The Idaho Statesman 10/6/75

Severe Weather - The Big Shiver of '88  - January 13, 1888

Event Summary:    Severe winter storm, December 1887-January 1888.  Hundreds of head of livestock froze; people froze to death; blocks of ice floated in rivers.  Subsequent flooding along river bottoms followed the thaw.

County Summary: Boise recorded -28F

Idaho World, January 13, 1982

Flood -  March 19, 1883

Event Summary:   Cottonwood Creek flood

County Summary: Cottonwood Creek flooded downtown Boise following heavy spring runoff

Flood  - February 2-March 17, 1881

Event Summary:    Cottonwood Creek flood

County Summary: Cottonwood Creek flooded streets and houses in Boise from 6th Street to Main Street; sand deposits at Grove Street 8' deep

Flood - Spring 1876

Event Summary:  Boise River flood

County Summary: $6,000.00 - Boise River (est. 15,200 cfs) flooded lowlands in Boise following spring runoff; destroyed Ninth Street bridge; agricultural damage consisted of erosion, loss of topsoil, deposition of debris, and loss of fencing.

Stacy, Susan M.

Flood - 1872

Event Summary:    Boise Rive flood

County Summary: Following heavy spring runoff, flooding occurred from  Boise River (est. 50,000 cfs) and  Cottonwood Creek

The Idaho Statesman, 9/14/81 and 6/10/83

Flood - December 1871

Event Summary:    Boise River flood

County Summary: Boise River's first recorded flood, runoff believed to have been approx. 5,500,000 acre feet; lowlands from Foothills to Bench flooded; Cottonwood Creek also flooded.

Stacy, Susan M

Flood - March 1871

Event Summary:    Cottonwood Creek flood

County Summary: Flooding into Boise from Cottonwood Creek following heavy spring runoff

Flood - January 1870

Event Summary:  Cottonwood Creek flood

County Summary: Following 36 hours of "incessant rain" Cottonwood Creek flooded Main Street in Boise

The Idaho Statesman, 9/14/81

Flood - 1869

Event Summary:    Cottonwood Creek flood

County Summary: Flooding in  Boise from Cottonwood Creek following heavy spring runoff

Flood - 1866

Event Summary:   Cottonwood Creek flood

County Summary: Flooding from Cottonwood Creek down to Main Street in  Boise

The Idaho Statesman, 9/14/81

Flood - 1865

Event Summary:    Cottonwood Creek flood

County Summary: Flooding of downtown Boise from Cottonwood Creek following heavy runoff

The  Idaho Statesman,  9/14/81

Flood -  September 1, 1864

Event Summary:   Cottonwood Creek flood

County Summary: Flash flood from Cottonwood Creek following heavy rains; 4' of water at Main Street

The Idaho Statesman,  9/14/81

Flood -  July 4, 1862

Event Summary:    Boise River flood from extremely high runoff; believed to be one of the highest water years, possibly four times the amount of the 1943 flood (100,000 second feet or greater)

County Summary: Boise River flood resulting from extremely high runoff; floodwaters ranged "a couple of miles wide" from the Foothills to the Bench.

Stacy, Susan M.; The  Idaho Statesman,  6/10/83