KBR Horse Net
Close-Up Feature:
"High Water";

The 1997 California Floods

The new year started out with a significant subtropical storm which dropped near record rainfall amounts throughout northern and central California and Nevada. Nearly 20 inches of rain fell in mountainous drainages, often onto several feet of snow, resulting in runoffs so significant that flood control systems and dams couldn't contain them.

The downflow of flood runoff lasted for several days, taxing the vast network of tributaries, rivers and the California delta region. These bodies of water are lined with levees which are designed to keep water in the rivers and off low-lying communities and farmlands. At least 26 of them failed.
Levee break along the Feather River
Problems with levees are not unheard of, however the storm passed and many people did not recognize the significance of forecasts of uncontrollable high water during the calm, sunny days which followed. As a result, many people did not make adequate preparations to move their livestock.

Many local residents erroneously felt they had time to "wait and see" and make preparations when the time came. Tragically they were wrong. Roads quickly became impassable and those which could be traversed were strictly controlled by law enforcement officials.

Nature is a harsh teacher;
Cows drowning at Olivehurst, CA
(About 200 cows drowned at this one property alone.)
Unidentified rancher moving cows to higher ground near Modesto, CA
State Highway 70 at Olivehurst
(Submerged farms, farmhouses and barns can be seen on either side)

Images © California Dept. of Water Resources

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Related link: ECIS's Livestock Rescue Bulletin Page
Note! This URL is only active during flood season!

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