Transportation

Geography

Historical Background

Identified Hazards

Issues

Maps

Payette County has three incorporated communities: Fruitland (pop. 3,805), New Plymouth (1,400), and Payette (7,054). The total population for the county in 2000 was 20,578. That is an increase of 25% since 1990.

Transportation

Geography

Land Area: 403 square miles.

Historical Background

Established February 28, 1917 with its county seat at Payette. Named for the Payette River which was named for Francois Payette, a Canadian fur trapper and explorer with the North West Company, who came to this county in 1818. He was the first white man in the area and brought the first cattle. Boomerang, which was named for the log boom on the Payette river, was constructed as a railroad camp in 1883 and later changed its name to Payette.

County Seat: Payette

Flood - May-June 1998

Event Summary:  Two weeks of rain fell on a melting melting snow pack, 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: Residents along Washoe Drive and Killebrew Drive voluntarily evacuated as the Payette River rose; many residents took shelter at the Motel 6.

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

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: $1,330,737.00 - Approximately 120 homes and 30 businesses were flooded, and several dikes along the Payette River were destroyed by floodwaters.

The Idaho Statesman 1/6/97, 3/20/97

Wind - August 7, 1993

Event Summary: Windstorms in Western Idaho, with sustained gusts up to 50 mph, caused property damage.

County Summary: A windstorm with gusts up to 50 mph knocked down trees and power lines in Payette

The Idaho Statesman 8/8/93

Flood - February 1982

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

County Summary: Floodwaters from the Payette River closed Hwy 52, flooded lowlands, and caused minor property damage.

The Idaho Statesman, 2/17/82

Flood - December 14-26, 1972

Event Summary:  12 days of record low temperatures (as low as -30F) caused ice jams on the Snake and Portneuf Rivers and led to flooding.  The ice in the Snake River between Weiser and Payette was about 12' above the river's normal flow level. The Snake River ice jam was over 35 miles long, stretched from Farewell Bend, Oregon to the Payette-Washington County line, and grew at a rate of 4.5 miles per day.  Over 90 families were evacuated in Idaho and Oregon.

County Summary: farmland in low-lying areas were flooded as the Snake River ice jam reached two miles inside the Payette county line.

The Idaho Statesman December 16, 17, 20, 1972

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: The Payette River rose to record levels, flooding farmlands and homes.  It was the largest flood ever recorded on the Payette River, with a peak flow of 39,000 cfs at the Black Canyon Dam.  Hwy 95, roads and bridges were damaged, farmland and homes in the Washoe area were under 3' of water.  Riverside Trailer Park was evacuated.

The Idaho Statesman Dec. 23, 24, 27, 1964; USACE Flood Plain Info Payette 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: Spring runoff and warm rains caused flooding along the Payette River.

USACE "Flood Plain Information Payette, Idaho and Vicinity"

Flood - May 14-June 17, 1896

Event Summary: Boise and Payette River floods

County Summary: Estimated that Payette River flood was nearly as great as the December 1964 flood.

USACE "Flood Plain Information Payette, Idaho and Vicinity"

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: Wildfire in Payette National Forest burned 32,000 acres

Lewiston Tribune 8/10/86

Identified Hazards ( Most likely to occur & greatest impact)

Other Issues