Transportation

Geography

Historical Background

Identified Hazards

Issues

Maps

Owyhee County has three incorporated communities: Grand View (pop. 470), Homedale (2,528) and Marsing (890). The total population for the county in 2000 was 10,644. That is an increase of 27% since 1990.

Transportation

Geography

Land Area: 7,666 square miles.

Historical Background

Established December 31, 1863 with its county seat at Ruby City. This was the first county to be established by the first territorial legislature. In 1867 the county seat was moved to Silver City and in 1934 to Murphy. Named for the river, mountains and mining area explored by Hawaiian fur trappers in 1819-1820. Hawaii and Owyhee are different spellings of the same word. Gold was discovered on Jordan Creek in 1863, and millions of dollars of gold and silver were taken from Silver City region until the industry declined in the early 1900s.

County Seat: Murphy

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: $70,791.00

The Idaho Statesman 3/20/97

Drought - 1987-1992

Event Summary:    $0.00

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

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: 30' section of road washed out from floodwaters, isolating families in Pleasant Valley.  State disaster declared 2/21/86.

The Idaho Statesman February 24, 25, 26,

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 - January 29, 1965

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

County Summary: $1,300,000.00 - Flooding from Snake River tributaries, causing extensive road and agricultural damage.  Subsequent to this flooding, 2 channel restoration projects near Homedale were done at an est. cost of $28,000.

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

Volcanic - December 13, 1913

Event Summary:  Volcanic activity in Southern Idaho

County Summary: "a hole in the ground" near the Nevada line from which "smoke and volcanic ash were seen emerging"  Similar volcanic activity reported afterward in Seven Devils area; however, no confirmation found.

The Idaho Statesman 12/13/53

Earthquake - December 26, 1868

Event Summary:   Earthquake centered near Silver City

County Summary: Earthquake rocked Silver City, shaking crockery and lamps

The Idaho Statesman, 12/26/37

Pestilence - August 26, 1868

Event Summary:    Grasshopper infestation

County Summary: Grasshopper infestation; damage to crops

Identified Hazards ( Most likely to occur & greatest impact)

Other Issues