Transportation

Geography

Historical Background

Identified Hazards

Issues

Maps

Idaho County has seven incorporated communities: Cottonwood (pop. 944), Ferdinand (145), Grangeville (3,228), Kooskia (675), Riggins (410), Stites (226),  and White Bird (106). The total population for the county in 2000 was 15,511. That is an increase of 13% since 1990.

Transportation

Geography

Land Area: 8,503 square miles The largest county in Idaho.

Historical Background

Established February 4, 1864 by the First Idaho Territorial Legislature with its county seat at Florence. In 1861 it had been established as the third county of the Washington Territory. Named for the Steamer Idaho that was launched June 9, 1860 on the Columbia River and served miners during the gold rush in north Idaho. In 1875 Mount Idaho was named the county seat, in 1902 the county seat was moved to Grangeville following a 10-year struggle between Grangeville and Mount Idaho.

County Seat: Grangeville

Wildland 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: The Three Bears fire was part of the R1 Wilderness Complex.  The Burgdorf Junction and Burnt Flats fires burned many acres.  The SCF Wilderness Complex burned 182,600 acres and Diamond Complex burned 149,772 acres.

Idaho Statesman 22 Sept 00;  FEMA wildfire map

Landslide -  03/12/1997

Event Summary:  $9,500,000.00 - Mudslides plagued North Idaho .

County Summary: $46,000.00 - A 1.5 mile stretch on Carrot Ridge Road between Greer and Woodland cost $46,000 to repair from slide damage.

Idaho Transportation Department

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: Power and telephone service was cut to residents in the Riggins area.  Slides closed highways 64 and 162.

$2,731,796.00

The Idaho Statesman 1/4/97 , 3/20/97 ; Idaho Transportation Department

Wildland Fire - September 1994

Event Summary:   One killed, one home destroyed in summer wildfires that burned a total of over 750,000 acres, resulting in state-wide disaster declarations 7/30/94 and 8/26/94 .    More than 5,000 firefighters battled the fires.

County Summary: Chicken Complex fire burned over 82,000 acres, forced evacuation of Warren .

The Idaho Statesman 9/94

Wildland Fire -  8/27/1992

Event Summary:  Fire burned in north central Idaho .

County Summary: The Porcupine Complex burned 22,000 acres in the Nez Perce National Forest, 25 miles northeast of Riggins.  French Creek fire burned 3,000 acres.

The Idaho Statesman 28 Aug 92

Wildland 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:Strong winds blew a fire near Kooskia out of control forcing evacuation of several families and destroying 2 houses and several buildings.  Power outages were reported in Grangeville, Kamiah, and Orofino.

Lewiston Tribune 17 Oct 91

Wildland Fire -  9/3/1989

Event Summary: $1,800,000.00 - Several fires burned through north central Idaho .  Lost resources was valued at $466,400.

County Summary: The Ladder creek fire burned nearly 60,000 acres, many trees were killed.  The Camp Creek fire charred over 2,400 acres.  Several trails were closed in the Nez Perce National Forest.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 3 Sept 89

Severe Weather - 1/5-16/1989

Event Summary:  A large storm ripped through the north central Idaho creating hazardous road conditions after it dumped several inches of snow mixed with great wind.

County Summary: 6 inches of snow fell in 6 hours at Grangeville.  Highway 95 was closed between Grangeville and Cottonwood .  Many schools were closed due to heavy snow.  Highway 12 was closed due to 4 avalanches in a 3 mile stretch.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 9-11 Jan 89

Wildland Fire - 9/1988

Event Summary: $7,800,000.00 - Several fires throughout North Idaho .  Smoke aggravated respiratory problems, burned eyes, and irritated noses.  Outside  smoking, campfires, commercial woodcutting were banned from Nez Perce National Forest.  Over 70,000 acres burned.

County Summary: Fires in the Selway Bitterroot and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness areas, including the Ladder Creek complex.  The Ladder Creek Fire burned 20,480 acres; Boston Lake- 29,520; Footstool- 13,900; and Camp Creek- 8,000: These all made up the Ladder Creek complex.  The Freeman Trail Fire burned 23,220 acres and the Upper Bear Fire burned 5,180 

The Lewiston Tribune, The Idaho Statesman Sept. 1988; 6 March 89

Flood -  8/29/1986

Event Summary: Heavy rain flooded city streets in north Idaho .  Lightning struck power poles.  Gusts of wind were reported as fast as 70mph.  About 3.5 inches of rain was dumped in 20 minutes.

County Summary:One person reported having 12 inches of standing water in his garage that left behind 6-7 inches of mud.  Highway 62 was flooded about 15 miles south of Kamiah.  8 people were stranded by the wash-out.  Drinking water was contaminated from the muddy runoff.

Lewiston Tribune 30 Aug 86

Wildland Fire - 8/1986

Event Summary: Wildfires throughout the state resulted in a state-wide disaster declaration on  8/12/86 .  Most of the fires were results of a lightning storm  8/10/86 .

County Summary: The  Gus Creek fire burned over 1,000 acres and utilized 17 crews of 20 members.

Lewiston Tribune 27 Aug 86

Landslide -  2/17/1986

Event Summary: A winter storm brought several mudslides to Idaho and Clearwater Counties.

County Summary: Mud and rock covered highway 95 near the White Bird Hill.  Highway 12 closed between Lowell and the Montana line from mud slides.  Clear Creek Road near Kooskia was closed due to flooding and rock slides.

Lewiston Tribune 18 Feb 86

Drought - Aug 1984

Event Summary: Disaster declaration for crop damage.

County Summary: Disaster declaration for crop damage from drought and a hailstorm in August.

Idaho Statesman 7 April 1985

Avalanche -  1/31/1982

Event Summary: Four motorists were trapped for three days between separate avalanches on US Highway 12 along the Lochsa River.

County Summary: One couple was found about 10 miles east of Lowell .  They had written a will during their dilemma thinking they would not make it.  The other couple was found about 20 miles west of Powell.

Flood -  2/7/1979

Event Summary: Melting snow flooded several counties in North Idaho .  Many roads were washed out.  Schools were shut down. Families were evacuated.

County Summary: Highway 95 was closed by a rockslide near the  Idaho-Adams County line.  Water was 2 feet deep in Grangeville.  Mostly just a  nuisance~ minimal damage.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 8, 14 Feb 79

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: $80,000.00 -  Heavy damage occurred to residential and ranch property and US Highway 95 when the Little Salmon River exploded near Riggins.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 18 Jan 74

Severe Weather -  1/3/1969

Event Summary: Sixteen snow slides were reported in North Idaho closing many highways.  An ice jam formed on the Clearwater River near Kamiah.  Flights were canceled in Lewiston due to the weather conditions.  A section of railroad was washed out and restricted motor vehicle travel was reported due to slides. Most schools were closed.  Snow along with 35-mile an hour winds, was blamed for power outages in Moscow , Potlatch, Troy , Deary, and Bovill.

County Summary: Elk City was isolated because the South Fork of the Clearwater River covered part of State Highway 14.  Highway 12 from Lowell to Montana was closed due to slides and avalanche conditions. Blizzard conditions persisted.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 7 Jan 69

Wildland 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: Grangeville was covered by heavy palls of smoke.  The Brushy Fork Creek Fire burned 600 acres of heavy timber.  The Fiddle Creek fire consumed 890 acres.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 21,24 Aug67

Flood - 1/28-2/3/1963

Event Summary: $2,000,000.00 - The Lapwai Valley was inundated with flooding after rain and melting snow coursed its way through, causing $2 million in damages. The $2 million includes loss of roadways, railroad trachage, livestock, buildings, and personal belongings.

County Summary: Extensive flooding occurred in all streams in the Kooskia, Stites, Kamiah areas.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 28 Jan- 2 Feb 1963 , The Idaho Statesman 1 Feb 63

Avalanche - 1/27/1963

Event Summary: Snow slides and avalanche forced closing of US Highway 12 from Kooskia to the Montana state line.

County Summary:A big snow slide at Squaw Creek reduced traffic flow to one lane.  3 other slides were reported between Bald Mountain and the state line.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 28 Jan 1963

Flood - 2/4/1963

Event Summary: Cold weather created ice jams and cloudbursts created flooding throughout several counties in the Panhandle.  President Kennedy authorized $250,000 in flood relief loans.  $4.7 million in damage throughout the state this year.

County Summary: A rock and mud slide 1.5 miles north of Riggins blocked traffic.  About 50 families were marooned in the airport area after a pier was washed out.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 5-9 Feb 63

Flood -  5/21/1956

Event Summary: Floodwaters washed over 6,500 acres of farmland.  The drinking water became polluted and made it necessary to bring in water from other places.  Homes in Bonners Ferry evacuated.  The governor declared an emergency in Lewiston .

County Summary: The Clearwater River flooded basements in Orofino.

Idaho Statesman 24 May 56 ; Lewiston Morning Tribune 22 May 56

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: 300 people total were estimated to be without living quarters in Stites and 100 from Kooskia.  Cottonwood Creek flooded Cottonwood 's Main Street.  Water supply was cut off to 400 people in and near Riggins when flooding tore out the city's pipelines.  Residents were left isolated. Flood Emergency Declared

Lewiston Morning Tribune

Wildland Fire - Selway Burn -  8/20/1934

Event Summary:    Several thousand acres charred in the Selway area.

County Summary: Several thousand acres of timber were destroyed.

Lewiston Morning Tribune 21 Aug 67

Earthquake - October 14, 1913

Event Summary:  A moderate earthquake in north-central Idaho . Intensity VI.

County Summary: Broken windows and dishes.

Idaho Statesman 1 Oct 89 ; Seismicity of the United States  

Wildland 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 fire crossed 1.9 million acres of the Nez Perce.  The winds began in Elk City that gave the Big Blowup the power to spread fast.

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

Identified Hazards ( Most likely to occur & greatest impact)

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