Transportation

Geography

Historical Background

Identified Hazards

Issues

Maps

Cassia County has five incorporated communities, Albion (pop. 262), Burley (9,074), Declo (338), Malta (177), and Oakley (668). The total population for the county in 2000 was 21,416. That is an increase of 9.6% since 1990.

Transportation

Geography

Land Area: 2,577 square miles.

Historical Background

Established February 20, 1879 with its county seat at Albion. The county boundaries were later reduced in 1913 by the creation of Twin Falls and Power counties. The county seat was changed to Burley on November 5, 1918. Named for Cassia Creek, which was named for one of two words: cajeaux, peasent French for raft; or James John Cazier, member of the LDS Church and of the Mormon Battalion, later a colorful captain of an emigrant train, whose name was corrupted to cassia. Locally it is also believed that the name is derived from the name of a plant.

County Seat: Burley

Wildland Fire -  July 15, 2001

Event Summary:  A wildfire near Elba caused crop and structural damage.

County Summary: A lightning-caused wildfire near Elba burned an abandoned building, some crops and livestock facilities.

Flood -  July 30, 1996

Event Summary:  Flash flood near Black Pine Creek killed one person

County Summary: 2 hours of heavy rain near Black Pine Peak created a flash flood that flowed across I-84, carrying a vehicle over 1000' feet and killing the driver.

Avalanche -  February 11, 1994

Event Summary:   Avalanche near Magic Mountain Ski Area

County Summary: An avalanche 1.5 miles south of Magic Mountain Ski Area measured 300' long x 60' wide, 12' deep, blocking Rock Creek 

The  Idaho Statesman 2/13/94

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

Frost - Fall 1985

County Summary: Potato Crops were damaged do to early fall frosts.

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

The Idaho Statesman 3/1/86

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:  Albion and Declo were flooded by runoff, and the Anderson diversion dam was filled to overflowing.  It was estimated that half of Albion's homes and at least three businesses suffered flood damage.

The Idaho Statesman, Jan. 12, 13 and 16, 1979

Identified Hazards ( Most likely to occur & greatest impact)

Other Issues