Transportation

Geography

Historical Background

Identified Hazards

Issues

Maps

Bonner County has nine incorporated communities, Clark Fork (pop. 530), Dover (342), East hope (200), Hope (79), Kootenai (441), Oldtown (190), Ponderay (638), Priest River (1,754) and Sandpoint (6,835). The total population for the county in 2000 was 36.835. That is an increase of 38% since 1990.

Transportation

Geography

Historical Background

Established February 21, 1907 with its county seat at Sandpoint. It was named for Edwin L. Bonner, who, in 1864, established a ferry on the Kootenai River where the town of Bonners Ferry is located. The ferry became an important site in emigrant travel between Walla Walla to the placer and quartz mines in British Columbia.

County Seat: Sandpoint

Wildland Urban Interface Fire -  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.

County Summary: Kootenai Complex consumed many acres of federal land.

FEMA wildfire map

Wildland Urban Interface Fire - 10/16-20/1991

Event Summary:  Over 30 fires were out of control throughout North Idaho this summer.  1 person, from Athol, was killed while fighting a fire.

County Summary: State of Emergency declared.  1 house burned near Laclede.

Lewiston Tribune  17 Oct 91

Volcanic - 5/19/1980

Event Summary: $13,700,000.00

Mount St. Helens erupted from Washington spewing volcanic ash over several states.  Dust covered cities and contaminated drinking water.  The fallout prompted Governor Evans to declare a state of emergency. The counties in the panhandle received from one-inch to 3-inches of an ash blanket.  Costs for increased unemployment, destruction of vehicles and other equipment, damage to crops, livestock and timber, and lost  tax revenues was about $13.7 million.  This does not include loss to residents, local businesses and government. 

County Summary:

Flood -  3/20/1997

Event Summary:  Rain showers led to flooding in North Idaho counties.

County Summary: Mudslides were battled along Highway 95.  25 roads had flooding and erosion problems.  5 roads were closed.

The Spokesman-Review  21 Mar 97

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: $142,611.00

The Idaho Statesman  3/20/97

Severe Storm - 2/1996

Event Summary:  $100,000,000.00

The worst flooding in 30 years forces thousands to flee.  "one week deep freeze, the next deep water". The deluge was triggered from fast-melting snow and days of heavy rains.  $5 million worth of damage occurred to highways from Bonners Ferry to Grangeville.

County Summary: Clogged ditches flooded several roads and 3 shops in Kootenai were flooded.  Highways 2 and 200 were closed in Sandpoint due to water on the roads.

The Spokesman-Review 9 Feb 96

Flood - 1/15/1974

Event Summary:  $116,000,000.00

Flood waters isolated much of the Coeur d'Alene mining district.  The waters burst dams, blocked major roadways and forced evacuation of at least 1,000 persons.  About $65 million in damages. Shoshone and Benewah hardest hit. $9.5 million in damage to road systems.  $51.4 million in damage to private property. Governor Andrus declared the counties disaster areas.  More than 30 bridges were destroyed in 3 counties. 

County Summary: Nearly every area road was washed out.  6 county bridges collapsed.  Many families were evacuated.  Damage was done to roads and bridges near Sandpoint.

$1,500,000.00

Idaho Statesman 18 Jan 74; Lewiston Morning Tribune 17 Jan 74

Wildland Urban Interface Fire - 7/27-8/24/1967

Event Summary: $18,500,000.00

A state of emergency was declared because of fires, closing range and forest land north of the Salmon River to the public.  The Idaho National Guard was dispatched to aid the fire fighters.  Fires were burning throughout the Coeur d'Alene, Nez Perce, and St. Joe National Forests.  70,000-80,000 acres were burned.  Wind gusts were up to 60 miles per hour.  2 fire fighters died in the blaze.  "Deficit spending" was allowed  to cover the costs of firefighting.

County Summary: Several fires came together burning over 15,000 acres.  $2,000,000.00

Idaho Statesman 3-7 Sept 67;  Lewiston Morning Tribune

Flood -  5/23-6/5/1948

Event Summary:  The 1948 flood was caused by abnormal snowmelt augmented by rainstorms the latter part of May and in June.  The floods caused contamination of the water system, which left residents without drinking water. Over $3,700,000 damage to roads and highways. $30 Million damage to crops.

County Summary: Flood Emergency Declared

Lewiston Morning Tribune

Earthquake - 11/1/1942

Event Summary:  Shaking in Sandpoint

County Summary: No injuries or damages, The Northern Pacific Railroad partially suspended operations to inspect the right of way for boulders and slides.

Article clipping from Historical Library

Wildland Urban Interface Fire - The Big Blowup  - 8/21-22, 1910

Event Summary:   $20,875,000.00

In a brief 48-hour span, fires carried by hurricane-force winds burned more than 3 million acres, killed 85 persons, devastated the eastern part of Wallace and destroyed between 7 and 8 billion board-feet of timber.  The winds, which gave the Big Blowup its horror, came up from the southwest in the Nez Perce National Forest near Elk City .

County Summary:

The Idaho Statesman, Stephen Pyne's The Year of the Fires, The Big Blowup

Identified Hazards ( Most likely to occur & greatest impact)

Other Issues