Floods of February 1962

in Southern Idaho

and Northeastern Nevada

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

CIRCULAR 467
Floods of February 1962

in Southern Idaho 

and Northeastern Nevada

By Cecil A. Thomas and Robert D. Lamke

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 467

Washington 1962
United States Department of the Interior

STEW ART L. UDALL, SECRETARY

Geological Survey

THOMAS B. NOLAN, DIRECTOR

free on application to the U.S. Geological Survey, Washington 25, 0. C.
CONTENTS

Page Page

Abstract_____________________________ 1 Description of the floods Continued

Introduction. __ _ ____ 1 Blackfoot River basin__________ 9

Cause of the floods ___________________ 5 Portneuf River basin ______________ 9

Description of the floods ______________ 5 South side tributaries of Snake River

Bear River basin and Curlew Valley __ 6 below Portneuf River _____________ 12

Humboldt River basin _______________ 6 Big Wood River and Clover Creek

Henrys Fork _________ _ _______ 7 basins __________________ 13

Idaho Falls - Blackfoot lowlands ______ 7 Snake River main stem _____________ 14

North and west of Snake River above Flood damage _______________________ 14

American Falls __________________ 8 Peak discharge data__________________ 15

ILLUSTRATIONS

Page

Figure 1. Map of southern Idaho and northeastern Nevada showing location of flood - 

measurement points, floods of February 1962, and isohyets for February 

7-12 _______________________________________________ 2

2. Weather conditions for January and February 1962 at Elko, Nev., and west

of Idaho Falls, Idaho _________________________________--______---------- 4

3. Discharge hydrograph, Malad River at Woodruff, Idaho, February 9-18, 1962___ 6

4. Discharge hydrographs for selected gaging stations in Nevada ________________ 7

5. View of Devils Gate Ranch on North Fork Humboldt River ____________________ 8

6. View of McKinley Ranch on Humboldt River ________________________________ 9

7. View of Battle Mountain during peak of February 14, 1962____________________ 10

8. New housing development in the flooded area northeast of Idaho Falls, Idaho ___ 11

9. Portneuf River looking upstream through Lava Hot Springs near the crest of

the flood.____________________________________ -___ _-- 12

10. A break developing in a fill in U.S. Highway 30, 2 miles downstream from

Lava Hot Springs _____________________________--__------------------__- 13

11. Discharge hydrographs for selected gaging stations on Snake River, Idaho _____ 14

12. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations in Portneuf River basin, Idaho._____ 15

13. Discharge hydrograph for Clover Creek near Bliss, Idaho......._____________ 15

TABLES

Page 

Table 1. Summary of flood damages in Snake River basin in Idaho, February 1962 _________ 14

2. Records of 1962 flood stages and discharges at selected gaging stations in Idaho

and Nevada______________________________----_-_------_-------_-------____ 16

3. Records of flood stages and discharges by drainage basins, Idaho and Nevada _____ 22

in
Floods of February 1962 in Southern Idaho 

and Northeastern Nevada

By Cecil A. Thomas and Robert D. Lamkc

ABSTRACT

The floods of February 10-15, 1962, were the highest 

known on many streams in southern Idaho and northeastern 

Nevada. Some of the peak discharges have recurrence intervals greater than a hundred years.

The floods resulted from an unusual combination of conditions, each of which contributed to the sudden severe 

flooding. These conditions were an extended period of 

above-freezing temperatures and prolonged light rainfall, an 

extensive area of snow at low altitudes, and deeply frozen 

ground. The snow at higher altitudes did not contribute to 

the floods.

Runoff was greatest from watersheds at altitudes ranging 

from 4,500 to 6,500 feet. Flooding from small tributaries 

with large parts of their drainage within this range rank 

among the highest snowmelt floods ever recorded in Idaho 

and northeastern Nevada. The Snake River main stem had 

only minor flooding.

The flood damage was the greatest ever experienced in 

most of the flood area becaus,e of the large areas inundated 

and because the value and amount of improvements has increased steadily. The total damage has been estimated as 

more than $10 million.

INTRODUCTION

The floods of February 1962 in southern 

Idaho and northeastern Nevada (fig. 1) were 

the highest floods experienced in recent 

times and the most devastating. The flood 

area includes some of the most valuable agricultural and ranching land in both States 

and some of the most heavily populated areas 

in Idaho.

This report presents available data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey on these 

floods. The data are provisional and fall 

short of complete coverage. Many sites for 

indirect measurements of peak discharge

have been selected, and the high-water profiles have been marked but not surveyed. 

Other indirect measurements have been surveyed but not computed.

The data in this report were collected as 

part of the cooperative programs between the 

Survey and various Federal and State agencies. The district engineers for Idaho and 

Nevada, W. I. Travis and E. E. Harris, respectively, supervised the work of the Surf ace Water Branch district personnel. Regional flood 

specialists, G.L.Bodhaine, H. Hulsing, and H. 

F. Matthai, gave technical assistance in collecting and analyzing data and in preparing 

the report. Six engineers from districts other 

than Idaho and Nevada were temporarily assigned to the flood areas to determine peak 

discharges as soon as possible after the 

flood. The field and office work of determining peak discharges by indirect methods 

were directed by C. A. Thomas and R. D. 

Lamke in Idaho and Nevada, respectively.

Weather data were furnished by the U.S. 

Weather Bureau, and estimates of flood damage in Idaho were furnished by the U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers.

Data presented in this report include: descriptions of the cause, extent, and effects of 

the floods; hydrographs, table of mean daily 

discharges and discharges at indicated times 

for selected gaging stations; damage figures; 

peak stages and discharges for the February 

1962 floods and for previous maximum floods 

at selected gaging stations; peak discharges 

at miscellaneous sites; and whatever data 

are available for the incomplete indirect 

measurements.
FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

INDEX MAP OF FLOOD AREA

119°

,29

Figure 1. Map of southern Idaho and northeastern Nevada showing location 
INTRODUCTION

EXPLANATION

Discharge determined 

Gaging stations 10

 Discharge to be determined

,,. . A9 Discharge determined Miscellaneous sites Discharge n»- t * t j ^ j to be deterrmned

Isohyet, showing 

precipitation in inches

115

111°

flood-measurement points, floods of February 1962, and isohyets for February 7-12.
FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

S3HONI Ml 'Hid3Q MOMS
DESCRIPTION OF FLOODS

CAUSE OF THE FLOODS

These floods resulted from an unusual 

combination of conditions. These conditions 

were prolonged low-intensity rainfall, moderate amounts of snow on low-altitude areas, 

warm days and nights, and a glaze of ice over 

deeply frozen ground. Total rainfall for the 

period February 7 12 is shown in figure 1. 

Temperatures, rainfall, and snow on ground 

during January and February at Elko, Nev., 

and west of Idaho Falls, Idaho, are shown in 

figure 2. These sites, at opposite ends of the 

flood area, are in areas of intense flooding 

and show the similarity of weather conditions 

that existed throughout the flood area.

The antecedent weather had a marked effect 

on the flood. Temperatures were 2° to 3°F 

below average during October, November, and 

December. The mean monthly temperatures 

for January were 4° to 9° below average. Alternate freezing and thawing of the existing 

cover of light snow occurred in December 

and early January and transformed the shallow snow into a mantle of ice over the ground. 

Flooding occurred on January 8 in Goose 

Creek and other small basins in southern 

Idaho when light rain fell on these watersheds 

and temperatures remained above freezing 

for about 48 hours. In most low-altitude basins, this short-lived thaw produced little 

runoff but melted and settled the snow which 

froze quickly with the sharp drop in temperature on January 9. This increased the 

depth of frost and ice covering the ground.

Subfreezing temperatures continued over 

the flood area from January 9 until the end of 

January. Temperatures were especially low 

January 20 25, whenbelow-zero temperatures 

during the night and below-freezing temperatures during the day were general. For example, minimum readings of -40 °F were 

recorded during this period near Idaho Falls 

and readings of -20° were recorded near 

Elko. These low temperatures froze the 

ground under the cover of light snow as deep 

as 3 feet. The temperatures then moderated 

during late January and early February.

Prolonged rain of low intensity fell during 

the period February 7 12. The amounts 

measured at Weather Bureau gages ranged 

from \ to about 3 inches in southern Idaho 

and from \ to about 2 inches in northeastern 

Nevada. Greater amounts of precipitation 

occurred adjacent to the flood areas. Snow

fell at higher altitudes. In other areas heavy 

rainfall occurred,but the other factors causing the flood were absent. The greatest total 

rainfall measured within the flood areas was 

2.91 inches at Ashton, 65 miles northeast of 

Idaho Falls. In Nevada the maximum was 2.06 

inches at Turcarora, 30 miles northwest of 

Elko. The greatest daily rainfalls recorded 

were 1.06 inches on'February 10 at Charleston, 60 miles northeast of Elko, and 0.90 inch 

on February 12 at Preston, 60 miles southeast of Pocatello, Idaho. The heaviest hourly 

rainfall recorded in Nevada was 0.15 inch 

south of Elko. These amounts of rainfall or 

more could occur, on the average, once every 

2 years according to Weather Bureau Technical Paper 40, "Rainfall Frequency Atlas of 

the United States."

The moderation in temperature that began 

in late January culminated in minimum temperatures of 20° or higher from February 9 

through the flood period. The daytime temperatures were above freezing and were as 

much as 50° or higher. The rains plus the 

heat were sufficient to melt most of the shallow snow on low-altitude areas. This snow 

ranged in depth from 1 foot at 6,700 feet to 0 

at 4,500 feet in Nevada, and ranged from 3 

feet at the upper limits of the flood-generation 

zone to 0 in Idaho. Greater amounts of snow 

were present at higher altitudes, but they did 

not melt.

The rain plus the melted snow ran off rapidly, as the frozen ground prevented infiltration. This resulted in floods with unusually 

rapid rises of unusual magnitudes.

DESCRIPTION OF FLOODS

Damaging record-breaking floods occurred 

in valleys and along streams tributary to the 

Snake River from St. Anthony as far downstream as King Hill and in the Bear River 

basin and Curlew Valley in the Great Basin 

in Idaho. Flooding occurred in adjacent watersheds in Nevada, including the upper Bruneau, Humboldt, and Owyhee Rivers. Discharges were the highest known on many 

streams in both States. Many of the floodflows have recurrence intervals probably 

larger than 100 years. In other words, the 

flows experienced during the flood are not exceeded, on the average, more than once in a 

100 years or more.
FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

Runoff was most intense from watersheds 

ranging in altitude from 4,500 to 6,500 feet. 

Flooding from small tributaries with large 

parts of their drainage within or near this 

range rank among the highest winter floods 

recorded in Idaho. Because of deeper snow 

and unfrozen ground, little or no runoff occurred at elevations above about 7,000 feet. 

Velocity was not a problem, except in the 

foothills and mountainous areas. Inundation 

caused most of the damage.

Streams rose at rates unusually rapid for 

snowmelt floods. Evacuation from urban and 

rural areas in Idaho was orderly and no lives 

were lost by drowning, but several persons 

died from overexertion or from other causes 

indirectly connected with the flood. Damage 

was much lighter than if the floods had occurred after crops were planted. Water also 

carried much less silt than it would have 

carried had the ground not been frozen. Some 

flooding occurred because of ice jams.

All data for discharge and damage are 

preliminary and subject to revision when 

surveys and computations are completed.

In the following description of the floods, 

basins are discussed in the downstream order 

used by the Geological Survey in annual reports.

BEAR RIVER BASIN AND CURLEW VALLEY

Floods occurred in the Malad River and in 

Deep Creek in Curlew Valley and in the Bear 

River near Preston, Idaho, and near Colliston, 

Utah. The damage was minor on Bear River. 

Idaho State Highway 37 from Roy to Holbrook 

was severely damaged and was closed for 

several weeks. Many bridges and road fills 

were washed away, and some of the principal 

roads were blocked for several days in both 

the Malad River Valley and the Curlew Valley. 

Flood water damaged considerable farmland, 

farm buildings, crops, feed, and livestock.

The peak discharge of Malad River at 

Woodruff was 370 percent of the previous 

maximum in 24 years of record. Stages and 

discharges for selected time intervals and 

daily mean discharges are given in table 2 

for this station, and figure 3 shows the discharge hydrograph.

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

FEBRUARY 1962

Figure 3. Discharge hydrograph,Malad River at Woodruff,Idaho, 

February 9-18, 1962.

HUMBOLDT RIVER BASIN

The floods in the Humboldt River basin 

were limited to the upper part. The Humboldt 

River basin is entirely within Nevada. These 

1962 floods were greater than the 1952 floods 

in the upper part of the basin above Battle 

Mountain. In the lower Humboldt River basin 

these flood peaks have been exceeded 8 or 9 

times in 50 years of record. A major flood 

occurred in March 1910 throughout the basin, 

and the 1962 flood might be comparable to the 

1910 flood in the upper part. There is some 

evidence that another major flood occurred in 

the 1860's on the upper Humboldt River.

Stages and discharges for selected time intervals and mean daily discharges are given 

in table 2 for Humboldt River at Palisade, 

Nev.,and for South Fork Humboldt River near 

Elko, Nev.

Discharge hydrographs in figure 4 for the 

Humboldt River at Palisade, Battle Mountain, 

and Comus and for the South Fork Humboldt 

River near Elko, Nev., show the effects of 

storage caused by meanders and overflow below the Palisade gaging station. The hydrograph for the Palisade gaging station shows 

the two very distinct peaks on February 12 

and 14. The first peak was caused by flood - 

waters from the South Fork Humboldt River, 

Maggie Creek, Susie Creek, and other smaller 

contributors immediately upstream from Palisade, and the second peak was caused by 

North Fork Humboldt River above Elko. The 

hydrograph for South Fork Humboldt River 

shows two distinct peaks that occurred on 

many of the major tributaries.
DESCRIPTION OF FLOODS

,* Humboldt River at Palisade

FEBRUARY 1962

Figure 4. 'Discharge hydrographs for selected gaging stations in 

Nevada.

The 1962 floods on the Humboldt River and 

on all measured tributaries above Battle 

Mountain have recurrence intervals greater 

than 50 years. These floods were the highest 

recorded at all gaging stations in the upper 

Humboldt River basin, some of which have 

more than 50 years of record. The gaging 

station on North Fork Humboldt River at 

Devils Gate, near Halleck, Nev., recorded a 

flood five times greater than the 50-year 

flood.

The floods occurred mainly in ranching 

country and caused damage to rural roads 

(fig. 5). Some ranches lost cattle in the flood 

(fig. 6). The damage to the main highways 

was comparatively minor. The end of a 

bridge on U.S. Highway 40 over the North 

Fork Humboldt River was almost washed out. 

U.S. Highway 40 and the Southern Pacific 

Railroad tracks were cut in Battle Mountain 

to allow Reese River floodwaters to subside. 

Battle Mountain (fig. 7) was flooded by the 

normally dry Reese River. The small towns 

of Deethand Beowawe had some minor floods

and small sections of Elko and Carlin next to 

the Humboldt River were flooded. The total 

damage in Nevada has been estimated as $1.5 

million by the Red Cross, with an estimate of 

$114,000 damage to the State Highway system.

HENRYS FORK

The flood in the Rexburg-Sugar City area 

resulted from unprecedented discharges in 

Teton River and in Moody Creek, Lyons (Lyman) Creek, and other tributaries draining 

the hills to the east. Preliminary figures of 

peak discharge of Teton River near St. Anthony was nearly twice as high as the previous maximum in 52 years of record. No previous records are available on Moody and 

Lyons Creeks, but local residents indicate 

that the flood was more severe than any other 

in more than 50 years. Considerable water 

also came from snowmelt and rain on the valley floor. Lyons Creek nearRirie discharged 

at a rate of 84 cfs per sq mi from 18 square 

miles. This rate occurs only rarely in Idaho 

streams, except during thunderstorms. Natural channels and canals were clogged with 

ice as much as 2 feet thick. Ice jams and extreme discharge resulted in flooding of large 

areas of valuable farmland and urban areas. 

Farmland, farmsteads, livestock, stored farm 

crops, roads, railroads, bridges, canals, and 

a great many residences in Rexburg, Sugar 

City, and Teton were damaged considerably. 

Flooding was not a problem on Henrys Fork 

above St. Anthony. Some flooding occurred 

in tributaries to Teton River above Newdale.

IDAHO FALLS-BLACKFOOT LOWLANDS

The largest area inundated was the lowlands fromRirie southwest toward Blackfoot. 

About 56,500 acres was covered, and damage 

totaled $3,185,000. The flood occurred as a 

result of rain and snowmelt on the valley 

floor and from the adjacent foothills and as a 

result of floods in Willow, Birch, Henry, and 

Cedar Creeks and smaller tributaries. Much 

of the watershed adjacent to these lowlands 

was in the1 altitude range from which the 

greatest discharges were generated. Willow 

Creek tributary near lona discharged at a 

rate of 135 cfs per sq mi from 9.8 square 

miles. This is the highest rate ever recorded 

by the Survey for a winter flood in Idaho.
FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

Figure 5. Typical flood damage to road at Devils Gate Ranch on North Fork Humboldt River. Photographed by Mel Steninger of the Elko

Daily Free Press.

Large urban developments, agricultural improvements, farm and city dwellings, canals, 

roads, and railroads were flooded to depths 

ranging from 1 to 4 feet. Because natural 

drainage channels are interconnected with 

canals and diversion laterals in this intensely 

developed agricultural and industrial area, 

the flow patterns have become complicated 

and ponding has resulted, especially where 

ice jamming has occurred. Canals were flowing bankfull and many overtopped. Some large 

canals prevented serious damage in heavily 

populated parts of Idaho Falls and other 

cities.

Figure 8 shows a new housing development 

east of Idaho Falls which was flooded by Willow Creek.

NORTH AND WEST OF SNAKE RIVER ABOVE 

AMERICAN FALLS

Over most of the flooded areas rain and 

snowmelt water ordinarily infiltrates rapidly 

into the ground, because the soils are loose 

and shallow and are underlain by porous lava. 

Thousands of acres of lava have little or no 

soil cover. Most rivers carry return flows 

most of the time. Overland flows are scarce 

over large acreages. This is especially true 

of the area north and west of Snake River between St. Anthony and American Falls. There 

are practically no well-defined channels running into the Snake River on the right bank. 

Lava flows of recent origin are close to the 

surface, and water percolates rapidly into 

the ground under normal conditions. During
DESCRIPTION OF FLOODS

Figure 6. Cattle in floodwaters at McKinley Ranch on Humboldt River. Photograph by Mel Steninger of Elko Daily Free Press.

the flood, the ground was glazed with ice underlain by deep frost. Percolation was inhibited and runoff at rapid rates occurred over 

considerable areas of the lava beds. The 

pockets of shallow soil scattered over the 

lava shed water at especially rapid rates.

Residents report that the flows here have 

not been exceeded in40years or more. Highways were overtopped, bridges and road fills 

were damaged, and scattered farms and 

farm improvements in low-lying areas were 

flooded. Discharges were measured indirectly at several road crossings and in one 

coulee to document the magnitude of the 

flows. Detailed maps are not available for 

most of the watersheds in the lava beds.

BLACKFOOT RIVER BASIN

Even though Blackfoot River near Blackfoot reached a discharge which was 60 percent greater than any peak previously recorded in 32 years of complete record plus

19 years of summer records, damage was 

comparatively light. Work on the levees before and during the flood was highly successful in confining the flow within narrow limits.

PORTNEUF RIVER BASIN

Floodflows in the Portneuf River and tributaries greatly exceeded previously recordedmaximums, even though some records 

are longer than 50 years. Highly developed 

areas at Bancroft, Lava Hot Springs, Pocatello, and, to a lesser degree, Inkom, were 

severely damaged by the flood waters.

Practically the entire town of Bancroft was 

under several feet of water for days. Flow 

from the surrounding hills and lowlands 

flowed into the town much faster than the 

drainage channels carried it away. Residences, commercial buildings, livestock, 

highways, railroads, and stocks of grain, 

feed, groceries, and other commodities were 

damaged considerably.
10 FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

Lava Hot Springs was hard hit by the fastflowing Portneuf River, and damage to buildings, roads, and railroads in the resort town 

of 5 93 inhabit ants was estimated at more than 

$1 million. Figure 9 shows the river rampaging through Lava Hot Springs. Water can 

be seen flowing down the main street in the 

background. The Union Pacific Railroad and 

roads were damaged severely from the raging waters between Bancroft and Pocatello. 

Figure 10 shows a break developing in a high 

road fill on U.S. Highway 30. The pipe through 

the fill is in the left background. Flow through 

the break in right background is around a 

cattle underpass. Note the vortex above the 

highway on the left. When the fill went completely out, discharge at the gaging station at 

Topaz, 2 miles downstream, increased from 

2,850cfs to 6,140 cfs in 1^ hours. The surge

overtopped railroad fills, canal headings, and 

roads downstream and caused extreme damage.

Discharge of the natural peak at the gaging 

station Portneuf River at Topaz was 3,700 

cfs, which is more than 260 percent greater 

than the previous recorded maximum in 45 

years of record, and the flood which occurred 

after the highway fill broke was much more 

extreme. Frequency studies show a flood of 

the magnitude of the natural peak would have 

a recurrence interval probably in excess of 

200 years. This rare phenomenon is probably caused by the ice and frost glaze over 

the watershed upstream. Normally the thin 

soil over the lava flows in the Bancroft area 

absorb the free water before runoff is generated.

Figure 7. Battle Mountain during peak of February 14, 1962. Photograph by Nevada Highway Department.
DESCRIPTION OF FLOODS 11

Discharge of 2,990 cfs at Pocatello was 

smaller than the sum of the peaks on Marsh 

Creek and Portneuf River at Topaz because 

of hundreds of acres of ponded areas along 

the river bottoms above Pocatello. Channel 

and valley storage prevented a major catastrophe in Pocatello where the waterway is 

incapable of passing large flows through the 

city. Many houses, roads, bridges, and the 

large switch yards of the Union Pacific Railroad in and near the city were flooded in 

various degrees. As in several other localities, a major and timely effort was made by

volunteer helpers, the Idaho National Guard, 

and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which prevented more serious damage to much valuable 

property. In Pocatello about 12,000 lineal 

feet of sandbag dikes, which averaged 2^ feet 

high, were placed. Frequency studies at Pocatello indicate the recurrent interval of the 

1962 flood to be more than 100 years.

A flood profile was marked in the city of 

Pocatello and elevations will be determined 

at a later date.

Figure 8. New housing development in the flooded area northeast of Idaho Falls. Photograph by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
12 FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

ii "'I liiii « ..^MBOHBi^PV^-^^^F - -r

Figure 9. Portneuf River, viewed upstream through Lava Hot Springs near the crest of the February flood. Photograph by Idaho Department

of Highways.

Damage in the Portneuf River basin was 

more extensive than in any other flooded 

area. Railroads and highways are crowded 

into narrow canyons and were directly in the 

path of the swollen, swiftly flowing streams. 

Lava Hot Springs and Pocatello are built 

close to the river channel. During many 

flood-free years of moderate flows developments have gradually encroached on the flood 

plains.

SOUTH SIDE TRIBUTARIES OF SNAKE RIVER BELOW 

PORTNEUF RIVER

Severe flooding occurred in the Bannock 

Creek and Rock Creek basins. Discharges 

were unusually high, but damage was limited 

to roads and bridges. Population is sparse 

in these basins, and absence of intensive development accounted for low damage. Flood

damage in the two basins was about $90,000. 

Roads were inundated and several bridges 

were washed completely away. Highway SON 

which crosses the streams near the mouths 

was damaged extensively and the highway 

fills were nearly lost. Although records are 

scanty in these basins, available records indicate this flood has a recurrence interval of 

more than 100 years.

Raft River flooded only moderately, but 

some tributaries had high flows.

Goose Creek above Oakley Reservoir 

reached stages above previous maximums. 

Discharge has only been estimated but it apparently exceeded the maximum in 48 years 

of record by a considerable amount. The 

stream flows through a sparsely populated 

area, and damage was slight.
DESCRIPTION OF FLOODS 13

Salmon Falls Creek basin flooded but was 

not as high as the flood of 1943. This basin, 

like Goose Creek, is thinly populated and undeveloped and therefore damages were slight.

Bruneau River basin flooded near the headwaters in the Charleston area in Nevada. 

Surveys of the discharges have not yet been 

made. Damage to roads and bridges and to 

the dam impounding Charleston Reservoir, 

which had failed, were included. The roads 

along the Bruneau River were washed away 

in at least three places. Field inspection, 

rainfall, and reports of residents indicate 

floods in the Bruneau River basin south of 

the Idaho-Nevada line were unusually high. 

Because of proximity to the Elko area where 

extreme flooding occurred, the recurrence 

intervals of these floods were probably longer 

than 50 years. Floods north of the IdahoNevada State border were not noteworthy because of lack of snow cover and only moderate rains in the area.

Flooding in the Owyhee River basin was 

also moderate and was limited to the drainages in Nevada.

BIG WOOD RIVER AND CLOVER CREEK BASINS

Flooding in Little Wood River basin caused 

damages estimated at $155,000. Although the 

flow from the adjacent foothills was very 

high, a large part of the damage was due to 

ice which forced the flow out of the river 

banks. Thorn Creek and Dry Creek which 

enter Big Wood River north of Gooding were 

extremely high. Big Wood River crested near 

the maximum of record even though gates

Figure 10. A break developing in a fill on U.S. Highway 30, 2 miles downstream from Lava Hot Springs. Photograph by Idaho Department

of Highways.
14 FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

were closed at Magic Reservoir. The magnitude of the flood from the low-altitude trib - 

utaries at the lower end of the Big Wood River 

basin was unusual, probably of longer than a 

100-year recurrence interval. Damage was 

limited to flooding of farmland and erosion of 

road fills and bridge approaches.

Clover Creek near Bliss also reached a 

peak flow of unusual magnitude. Record there 

is short but it appears that this was at least 

a 50-year flood. Damage was slight because 

the creek flows through a ranching area.

SNAKE RIVER MAIN STEM

Flooding in the Snake River main stem was 

minor. Flows were well below previously 

recorded maximums. Island Park, Jackson 

Lake, Palisades, Blackfoot-Marsh, American 

Falls, and Chesterfield Reservoirs were 

either closed or released only normal flows 

during the flood period and greatly reduced 

the discharges downstream.

FLOOD DAMAGE

The damage caused by the floods of February 1962 probably exceeded $10 million, with 

$8i million in Idaho and $lj million in Nevada. The damage date available is incomplete and preliminary. A summary of the 

damages for the Snake River basin in Idaho is 

given in table 1.

14

ULL.

Snake River near Blackfoot

Snake River near Shelley

/Snake River at Neely

12 13 14 15 

FEBRUARY 1962

16 17 18

Figure 11. Discharge hydrographs for selected gaging stations on 

Snake River. Idaho.

The flood is probably the most damaging 

ever experienced in these river basins, because the basins are now more highly developed. New residences, highways and bridges, 

commercial and industrial developments, and 

railroad improvements have greatly increased property valuations since the time 

of previous floods. Also the stages were 

higher in many places than at any time since 

the area was settled. Estimated damage prevented by flood-fighter crews was $1,796,000.

The damage in Nevada was less than in 

Idaho because most of the Nevada flood area 

was primarily ranch land with few improve - 

ments. The damage was limited mainly to 

loss of cattle, rural roads, and irrigation 

structures. Damage to the railroads and

Table 1. Summary of flood damages in Snake River basin in Idaho, February 1962 

[Adapted from U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, preliminary data]

Basin

Henrys Fork__ _________________

Idaho Falls -Blackfoot lowlands __ 

Blackfoot River ________________

Portneuf River______________ _ _

Little Wood River ___ ___ ___ __

Miscellaneous _________________

Total ___ ______ __ __ __ _

Acres 

flooded

10,900 

56,500 

6,800 

9,000

13,000

96,200

Damage, in thousands of dollars

Agricul - 

tural

197 

1,594 

51 

143 

26 

140

2,151

Residential

20 

736 

2 

534 

21 

8

1,321

Commerical 

and 

industrial

127 

129 

3 

1,319 

0 

0

1,578

Highways, 

railroads, 

utility, and 

others

245 

726 

102 

1,875 

108 

452

3,508

Total

589 

3,185 

158 

3,871 

155 

600

8,558
FLOOD DAMAGE 15

Portneuf River at Topaz

Portneuf River at Pocatella

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

FEBRUARY 1962

Figure 12. Discharge hydrographs for gaging stations in Portneuf 

River basin, Idaho.

main highways was slight. Only one town, 

Battle Mountain, was inundated.

Table 3 also gives the station number (for 

gage sites only) and name and the drainage 

area. The stage and discharge for maximum 

floods previously known are shown with their 

year of occurrence. The date, stage, discharge, and recurrence interval, T, of the 

1962 peaks are given.

As much data as are available are shown 

in table 3 for sites where indirect measurements have not yet been made or computed. 

The sites where the peak discharge has not 

been determined yet are shown in figure 1 as 

open circles or triangles. A circle is used 

in figure 1 to denote a gaging station, a dis - 

continued gaging station, or a crest-stage 

gage. A triangle denotes a miscellaneous 

site.

PEAK DISCHARGE DATA

Hydrographs for selected gaging stations 

in the flood area are shown in figures 11 to 

13. Stages and discharges for selected time 

intervals are given in table 2.

Flood stages and discharges are summarized in table 3. The list is in downstream 

order as presented in Geological Survey annual reports. The sites listed are those given 

in figure 1 and in table 3 by index numbers.

12 13 14 

FEBRUARY 1962

15 16

Figure 13. Discharge hydrograph for Clover Creek near Bliss, 

Idaho.
16 FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

Table 2. Records of 1962 flood stages, in feet, and discharges, in cubic feet per second, at selected gaging stations

in Idaho and Nevada

[Number after gaging station name is index number used in table 3 and figure 1 ]

Hour Gage 

height Discharge Hour Gage 

height Discharge Hour Gage 

height Discharge

Malad River at Woodruff, Idaho (8)

February 9

12:00 m __ 

6:00 p.m.. 

8:00 ___ . 

10:00 ___ .

12:00 p.m.. 

February 1C

2:00 a.m.. 

4:00 __ __

6:00 ____

8:00.. __

10:00.. __

12:00 m __ 

2:00 p.m.. 

4:00... __

6:00 __ __

8:00 ____

10:00 __ __

12:00 p.m.. 

February 11

2:00 a.m.. 

4:00 ____

6:00... __

8:00___ __

10:00 __ __

12:00 m ... 

2:00 p.m.. 

3:00.. ___

6:00 ____

9:00... __

12:00 p.m.. 

February 12 

3:00 a.m..

(mean disc

2.35 

2.42 

2.67 

3.07 

3.56

(mean disc

4.13 

4.62 

4.85 

4.97 

5.04 

5.09 

5.23 

5.48 

5.74 

6.00 

6.20 

6.43

(mean disch

6.76 

7.11 

7.77 

8.38 

8.58 

8.78 

8.87 

8.88 

8.84 

8.75 

8.73

(mean disch 

8.73

'large 53)

44 

48 

66 

90 

120

targe 294)

159 

198 

224 

240 

250 

257 

279 

319 

369 

428 

478 

540

arge 1,860)

646 

790 

1,210 

1,870 

2,110 

2,350 

2,450 

2,470 

2,420 

2,310 

2,290

arge 2,240) 

2,290

February 

6:00_____J

8:30......

10:00 __ ...

12:00 m ... 

3:00 p.m.. 

6:00......

9:00......

12:00 p.m.. 

February 13 (i

3:00 a.m.. 

6:00.. __ .

9:00 __ ...

12:00 m ... 

3:00 p.m.. 

6:00......

9:00 __ ...

12:00 p.m.. 

February 14 (i

3:00 a.m.. 

6:00... ...

12:00 m __ 

3:30 p.m.. 

6:00.. ___

10:00.. __ .

12:00 p.m.. 

February 15

3:00 a.m.. 

12:00 m __ 

3:00 p.m.. 

6:00 ___ .

9:00 ____

12:00 p.m.-

/ 12 Conti

8.86 

8.93 

8.90 

8.84 

8.76 

8.60 

8.38 

8.13

nean discha

7.91 

7.78 

7.70 

7.66 

7.65 

7.68 

7.74 

7.68

nean discha

7.59 

7.58 

7.45 

7.40 

7.48 

7.76 

7.80

''mean disch

7.71 

7.19 

7.04 

6.96 

7.06 

7.10

nued

2,440 

2,530 

2,490 

2,420 

2,320 

2,130 

1,870 

1,590

rge 1,200)

1,350 

1,220 

1,150 

1,120 

1,110 

1,130 

1,190 

1,130

rge 1,050)

1,060 

1,060 

970 

940 

988 

1,200 

1,240

arge 903)

1,150 

830 

758 

723 

767 

785

February 16

3:00 a.m__ 

6:00 __ ...

12:00 m ... 

3:00 p.m.. 

6:00 __ ...

12:00 p.m.. 

February 17

12:00 m ... 

9:00 p.m.. 

12:00 p.m..

February 18

6:00 a.m.. 

12:00 m ... 

6:00 p.m.. 

12:00 p.m..

February 19

6:00 a.m.. 

12:00 m ... 

6:00 p.m.. 

12:00 p.m..

February 20

3:00 a.m_. 

9:00. __ .

12:00 m ... 

6:00 p.m.. 

12:00 p.m..

(mean disch

7.11 

7.16 

7". 3 4 

7.38 

7.35 

7.15

(mean discfi

6.73 

6.4-8 

6.46

(mean discfi

6'. 4 6 

6.36 

6.20 

6.08

(mean disch

6.04 

5.97 

5.80 

5.62

(mean discfi

5.64 

5.81 

5.85 

5.77 

5.69

arge 859)

790 

815 

907 

929 

912 

810

arge 653)

635 

554 

549

arge 512)

549 

521 

478

447

arge 409)

438 

421 

382 

344

targe 371)

348 

384 

393 

375 

358
PEAK DISCHARGE DATA 17

Table 2. Records of 1962 flood stages, in feet, and discharges, in cubic feet per second, at selected gaging stations

in Idaho and Nefada Continued

Hour Gage

height Discharge Hour Gage 

height Discharge II Hour

H

Gage 

height Discharge

Humboldt River at Palisade, Nev. (23)

February 9 

12:00 p.m..

February 10

5:00 a.m.. 

6:00.. ....

8:00......

11:00... ...

2:30 p.m.. 

6:00______

9:00______

11:00... ...

12:00 p.m.. 

February 11

4:00 a.m.. 

6:30......

8:00 __ ...

2:00 p.m__ 

6:00.. ....

9:00......

12:00 p.m..

(mean discr

1.77

(mean discJi

1.80 

2.40 

2.75 

4.00 

4.31 

4.13 

4.55 

5.55 

5.34

(mean discfi

4.64 

4.51 

4.69 

6.75 

8.90 

9.35 

9.75

orge 47) 

58

arge 710)

62 

190 

284 

811 

993 

885 

1,140 

1,980 

1,790

arge 3,150)

1,200 

1,110 

1,230 

3,100 

5,340 

5,840 

6,310

February 12

5:00 a.m.. 

8:00......

11:00.. ....

2:00 p.m.. 

6:00 ......

9:00.. ....

12:00 p.m.. 

February 13

4:00 a.m.. 

9:00... ...

1:00 p.m.. 

3:00......

5:00 __....

6:00.. ___.

8:30 __ ...

12:00 p.m.. 

February 14

5:00 a.m.. 

7:45 __ ...

'mean disch

10,0 

9.73 

9.26 

8.85 

8.42 

8.05 

7.61

(mean disc

6.92 

5.83 

5.25 

5.17 

5.25 

5.74 

6.43 

7.04

(mean disci

8.23 

8.86

arge 5,510)

6,610 

6,290 

5,740 

5,280 

4,640 

4,440 

3,980

targe 2,570)

3,270 

2,230 

1,700 

1,630 

1,700 

2,150 

2,780 

3,390

torge 5,470)

4,620 

5,300

Februai

10:00 a.m__ 

1:00 p.m.. 

3:30.. __ .

9:00__.__.

12:00 p.m.. 

February 15

5:30 a.m.. 

12:00 m ... 

7:00 p.m.. 

10:00.. ....

12:00 p.m.. 

February 16

2:00 a.m.. 

8:00__ __ .

12:00 m ... 

2:00 p.m., 

12:00 p.m..

y 14 Cont

9.21 

9.54 

9.85 

9.55 

9.18

(mean disci

8.48 

7.98 

6.83 

6.72 

6.75

(mean disc6.64 

5.90 

5.73 

5.65 

5.11

nued

5,680 

6,060 

6,430 

6,070 

5,650

targe 4,210)

4,880 

4,360 

3,180 

3,070 

3,100

targe 2,230)

2,990 

2,290 

2,150 

2,080 

1,610

South Fork Humboldt River near Elko, Nev. (19)

February 8 

12:00 p.m.. 

February 9

8:30 p.m.. 

9:00......

9:15.. ....

12:00 p.m.. 

February 10

7:00 a.m.. 

11:00 __ ...

1:00 p.m.. 

1:30......

3:30.. ....

4:30.. ....

6:00___...

(mean disch 

2.87 

rmean discht

2.94 

3.13 

4.90 

4.87

(mean disch

4.55 

4.77 

4.90 

7.51 

6.70 

6.93 

7.50

arge 40) 

40 

irge 115)

56 

81 

605 

592

arge 1,390)

456 

556 

614 

2,310 

1,850 

2,130 

2,520

Februar

6:30 p.m.. 

8:00......

9:00......

12:00 p.m.. 

February 11

3:00 a.m.. 

7:30 __ ...

11:00 __ ...

12:30 p.m.. 

5:00 __ ...

6:00.. ....

12:00 p.m.. 

February 12 

12:00 m ...

y 10 Cont

7.63 

7.66 

7.86 

7.70

(mean disci

7.26 

7.12 

6.56 

8.00 

7.44 

7.76 

6.42

(mean disci 

4.80

nued

2,660 

2,680 

2,770 

2,700

targe 2,470)

2,480 

2,410 

2,090 

2,830 

2,570 

2,730 

2,000

targe 1,050) 

858

Februar

6:00 p.m.. 

12:00 p.m..

February 13

1:00 p.m.. 

6:00.. __ .

12:00 p.m.. 

February 1<

3:00 a.m.. 

4:30... ...

12:00 m ... 

5:00 p.m.. 

12:00 p.m..

y 12 Conti

4.55 

4.21

(mean discr

3.70 

3.47 

3.39

(mean disc

3.58 

3.58 

3.24 

3.13 

3.14

nued

713 

543

large 370)

345 

273 

250

torge 231)

310 

310 

211 

185 

187
18 FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTER NEVADA

Table 2. Records of 1962 flood stages, in feet, and discharges, in cubic feet per second, at selected gaging stations

in Idaho and Nevada Continued

Hour Gage 

height Discharge | Hour Gage 

height Discharge Hour Gage 

height Discharge

Snake River near Shelley, Idaho (51)

February 12

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m __

6:00 p.m__

12:00 p.m..

6.45

6.70

6.95

7.59

4,660

5,410

6,210

8,350

February 13

12:00 m __ 

12:00 p.m__

7.53 

7.95

8,140 

9,610

February 14

4:30 a.m__

6:00 ___ .

12:00 m ...

12:00 p.m..

8.00

7.67

7.75

7.68

9,790

8,620

8,900

8,660

February 15

12:00 m ... 

12:00 p.m..

7.64 

7.39

8,520 

7,670

February 16

12:OOm._J 7.06

12:00 p.m.J 7.04

6,570

6.500

February 17

12:00 m ...

12:00 p.m..

6.80

6.51

5,730

4,820

Blackfoot River near Blackfoot, Idaho (61) 

[Stage-discharge relation affected by ice Feb. 9 and probably most of Feb. 10.

February 9

4:00 a.m__ 

10:00 ......

12:00 m ...

2:00 p.m__

4:00 ......

6:00 ......

12:00 p.m__

3.03 

3.06 

3.12

3.25

3.84

3.89

3.84

26 

26 

26

50

150

200

200

February 10

4:00 a.m..

9:00__ ....

12:00 m ...

1:00 p.m__

12:00 p.m..

4.16

4.33

5.10

5.46

5.50

300

350

600

700

785

February 11

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.m..

8:00 ___ .

10:00.. __ .

12:00 p.m..

5.61

5.62

5.67

5.70

7.52

7.68

821

825

841

851

1,630

1,710

February 12

5:00 a.m.. 

6:00 __ ...

12:00 m ...

12:00 p.m..

7.42 

7.47 

7.12

7.10

1,580 

1,600 

1,430

1,420

February 13

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.-m_.

12:00 p.m..

7.15

7.26

7.35

7.27

1,440

1,500

1,540

1,500

February 14

12:00 m __ 1 7.05 

12:00 p.m.J 6.89

1,400 

1.320

February 15

12:00 m __.

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

6.80

6.77

6.54

1,280

1,270

1,170

February 16

12:00 m __J 6.09 

10:00 p.m.J 4.70 

12:00 p.m.J 4.64

991 

554 

539

February 17

10:00 a.m_J 4.57

2:00 p.m.J 3.79

12:00 p.m_4 3.70

522

352

334

February 18

12:00 m ...

4:00 p.m..

7:00 ___ .

10:00 ___ .

12:00 p.m..

3.63

2.95

2.90 

2.51

2.50

321

208

201 

149

148

Snake River near Blackfoot, Idaho (62)

February 10

12:00 m __ I 2.82 

12:00 p.m.J 3.19

2,520 

3,080

February 11

6:00 a.m.J 3.41 

12:00 m __J 3.44

3,480 

3,530

February 11-

6:00 p.m.J 

12:00 p.m.J

 Continued

3.98 4,470 

4.10 4,680
PEAK DISCHARGE DATA 19

Table 2. Records of 1962 flood stages, in feet, and discharges, in cubic feet per second, at selected gaging stations

in Idaho and Nevada Continued

Hour Gage 

height Discharge Hour Gage height Discharge Hour Gage 

height Discharge

Snake River near Blackfoot, Idaho (62) Continued

February 12

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m __ 

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

4.35

4.31 

4.56

4.70

5,170

5,100 

5,560

5,830

February 13

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m __

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

4.85

5.05

5.38

5.59

6,210

6,610

7,340

7,840

February 14

6:00 a.m..! 5.55 7,740

February 14 Continued

12:00 m __ 5.94

6:00 p.m.. 

12:00 p.m..

6.29 

6.33

8,760

9,750 

9,870

February 15

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m ...

7:00 p.m..

9:30 __ ...

12:00 p.m..

6.19

6.25

6.51

7.14

6.73

9,450

9,630

10,400

12,600

11,200

February 16

6:00 a.m.J 6.38 10,000

February 16 Continued

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.m.. 

12:00 p.m..

6.09 9,160

5.90 

5.60

8,650 

7,860

February 17

9:00 a.m..

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

5.09

5.23

5.25

5.02

6,690

6,990

7,040

6.550

February 18

12:00 m ...

12:00 p.m..

4.63

4.28

5,740

5,080

Portneuf River at Topaz, Idaho (67)

February 10 (mean discharge 647)

2:00 a.m..

7:00.. _ __

9:00 ___ _

12:00 m ...

3:00 p.m..

5:00__ __

9:00__ __

12:00 p.m..

2.63

3.16

3.68

4.46

4.83

5.32

5.67

5.73

156

266

383

575

692

890

1,350

1,460

February 11 (mean discharge 1,810)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m __

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

5.80

5.93

5.99

6.07

1,600

1,860

1,980

2,140

February 12 (mean discharge 3,250)

3:00 a.m..

6:00.. _ __

10: 00... __

12:00 m ...

3:00 p.m..

8-00 __.__

9:00__ ___

9:30___.__

10:00 __ ...

6.23

6.61

6.79

6.70

6.50

6.41

7.50

7.83

7.40

2,470

3,290

3,690

3,490

3,050

2,850

5,320

6,140

5,040

February 12 Continued

11:00 p. m.J 6.53

12:00 p.m. J 6.34

3,120

2.700

February 13 (mean discharge 1,860)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

6.06

5.86

5.77

5.72

2,120

1,720

1,540

1,440

February 14 (mean discharge 1,330)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

5.74

5.69

5.63

5.37

1,480

1,380

1,270

915

February 15 (mean discharge 740)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

5.27

4.95

4.43

4.73

868

740

568

656

February 16 (mean discharge 568)

3:00 a.m_J 4.76 666

February 16 Continued

6:00 a.nu_

12:00 m __

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

4.61

4.29

4.16

4.40

618

532

500

560

February 17 (mean discharge 462)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m __

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

4.49

3.91

3.54

3.72

582

438

350

393

February 18 (mean discharge 326)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

3.68

3.31

3.18

3.28

383

299

271

293

February 19 (mean discharge 230)

6:00 a.m__

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.m..

12:00p.m__

3.14

2.88

2.82

2.96

262

207

194

224

February 20 (mean discharge 207)
20 FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

Table 2. Records of 1962 flood stages, in feet, and discharges, in cubic feet per second, at selected gaging stations

in Idaho and Nevada Continued

Hour Gage 

height Discharge Hour Gage 

height Discharge Hour Gage 

height Discharge

Marsh Creek near McCammon, Idaho (70)

February 9 (mean discharge 87)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m __.

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m.. _._.

3.33

3.52

3.92

4.60

59

71

103

170

February 10 (mean discharge 348)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m __

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m_.

5.32

6.04

7.00

8.20

246

329

440

588

February 11 (mean discharge 862)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m __

6:00 p.m__

12:00 p.m..

9.60

11.03

11.80

12.48

746

903

980

1,050

February 12 (mean discharge 1,100)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m ...

3:00 p.m..

6:00 __ ...

12:00 p.m_.

13.00

13.23

13.25

13.15

12.78

1,100

1,120

1,120

1,120

1,080

February 13 (mean discharge 1,000)

6:00 a.m_.

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.nu.

12.35

12.02

11.70

11.40

1,040

1,000

970

940

February 14 (mean discharge 889)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.m..

11.12

10.90

10.75

912

889

872

February 14 Continued

12:00 p.m.J 10.33[ 826

February 15 (mean discharge 735)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m __

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

9.74

9.43

9.20

8.95

761

727

702

674

February 16 (mean discharge 621)

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.m_.

12:00 p.m..

8.73

8.47

8.22

7.92

650

622

594

560

February 17 (mean discharge 501)

Portneuf River at Pocatello, Idaho (72)

February 9

12:00 m ...

4:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

4.96

5.02

5.69

209

227

484

February 10

6:00 a.m..

12:00 m ...

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

5.85

5.98

6.19

6.33

556

615

715

785

February 11

12:00 m ...

12:00 p.m..

6.36

6.57

800

914

February 12

6:00 a.m.. 6.68 974

February 12 Continued

12:00 m __

6:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

7.12

7.75

8.51

1,180

1,460

1,790

February 13

1:00 a.m..

2:00 ____

6:00.. __ .

12:00 m ...

2:00 p.m..

12:00 p.m..

8.74

8.46

9.38

10.48

10.97

11.30

1,890

1,770

2,170

2,640

2,840

2,970

February 14

2:30 a.m..

10:00 __ __

12:00 m ...

1:00 p.m..

11.35

10.99

10.27

10.37

2,990

2,850

2,560

2,600

February 14 Continued

6:00 p.m..

12:OQ p.m..

9.97

9.37

2,420

2,160

February 15

12:00 m ...

12:00 p.m..

8.56

8.09

1,810

1,610

February 16

12:00 m __

12:00 p.m..

7.72

7.38

1,450

1,300

February 17

12:00 m __

12:00 p.m..

7.04

6.84

1,150

1,050
PEAK DISCHARGE DATA 21

Table 2. Records of 1962 flood stages, in feet, and discharges, in cubic feet per second, at selected gaging stations

in Idaho and Nevada Continued

Hour Gage 

height Discharge I Hour 

H

Gage 

height

I! 

Discharge I] Hour Gage 

height Discharge

Clover Creek near Bliss, Idaho (99)

J 

12:00 p.m.J 

February f

6:00 a.m.. 

12:00 m ... 

6:00 p.m.. 

9:00______

12:00 p.m.. 

February 9

6:00 a.m.. 

12:00 m ... 

2:00 p.m.. 

6:00 __ ..

9:00......

11:00 __ ... 

12:00 p.m..

February 10

4:00 a.m.. 

6:00......

12:00 m ... 

4:30 p.m.. 

12:00 p.m..

February 11 

6:00 a.m__

7 ebruary 7 

0.52 

1 (mean disc

0.51 

.64 

.92 

1.37 

1.42

(mean disci

1.29 

1.19 

1.32 

3.29 

3.72 

3.65 

3.82

(mean disch

7.38 

7.64 

8.31 

8.59 

6.91

(mean disch 

5.17

19 

harge 44)

18 

28 

55 

104 

109

targe 203)

95 

83 

98 

373 

457 

442 

478

arge 2,950)

2,480 

2,790 

3,680 

4,100 

1,960

arge 1,050) 

874

Februar

12:00 m ... 

6:00 p.m.. 

8:00......

11:00......

12:00 p.m.. 

February 12

2:00 a.m.. 

4:00......

8:00......

12:00 m ... 

2:00 p.m.. 

5:00......

12:00 p.m.. 

February 13

6:00 a.m.. 

12:00 m ... 

2:00 p.m.. 

4:00......

8:00......

12:00 p.m..

February 14

2:00 a.m.. 

6:00.. ....

12:00 m ... 

2:00 p.m..

y 11 Cont

4.58 

5.22 

6.22 

5.80 

5.83

'mean disch

6.43 

7.29 

6.71 

5.32 

4.86 

5.09 

4.07

(mean disc

3.22 

2.66 

2.58 

2.79 

5.27 

4.45

(mean disc

4.71 

3.91 

2.70 

2.54

inued

676 

893 

1,380 

1,150 

1,160

arge 1,220)

1,530 

2,370 

1,770 

932 

765 

844 

536

harge 465)

361 

272 

260 

292 

912 

638

harge 393)

716 

498 

278 

254

Februa

3:00 p.m.. 

5:00......

7:00.. __ .

12:00 p.m.. 

February 1!

6:00 a.m_. 

12:00 m ... 

2:00 p.m.. 

4:00......

6:00......

8:00......

12:00 p.m.. 

February 16

6:00 a.m.. 

12:00 m ... 

3:00 p.m.. 

6:00......

8:00......

12:00 p.m..

ry 14 Con

2.71 

2.60 

2.97 

2.45

> (mean disc

2.05 

1.80 

1.85 

3.35 

3.20 

3.42 

3.21

(mean disc

2.47 

1.90 

1.78

2;45

2.58 

2.09

tinued

280 

263 

320 

241

harge 258)

186 

155 

161 

384 

358 

397 

360

harge 230)

244 

167 

153 

241 

260 

192
22 FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

Table 3. Records of flood stages and discharges by drainage basins, Idaho and Nevada

[T, recurrence interval]

Index 

No.

Station 

No. Stream and location

Drainage 

area 

(sq mi)

Maximum floods

Before February 1962

Year

Gage 

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

February 1962

Date

Gage 

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

T 

(years)

Bear River Basin

1 _ .

3

4_._.

5_...

R

?

8___.

10-0905

908

1180

1190

1255

Bear River near

Preston, Idaho. 

Battle Creek tributary

near Treasureton,

Idaho. 

Deep Creek near

Clifton, Idaho.

Bear River near Collision, Idaho.

Little Malad River 

above Elkhorn Reservoir, near Malad,

Idaho. 

Little Malad River at

road crossing 3. 5 miles 

southwest of Malad

City, Idaho.

crossing 2 miles northwest of Malad City, 

Idaho.

Malad River at Woodruff, Idaho.

4,500

4.5

80

6,000

120

226

45

485

1907

1909

1955

1948

1943

1943

7.70

3.63

9.6

8

8,500

11,600

351

240

2 220

650

12

11

13

14

10

11

11

12

5.51

7.80

4.18

8.93

4,300

60

180

^.SSO

1,600

199

2,530

5

50+

50+

15

50+

25+

50+

Curlew Valley Tributaries

9_._.

10___

11...

12__.

1729.7

Deep Creek 7 miles

north of Holbrook, 

Idaho. 

Rock Creek 7 miles

north of Holbrook, 

Idaho. 

Rock Creek at Highway

37 crossing at Holbrook, Idaho. 

Wood Canyon i/ at Highway O i/

38 crossing 4 miles 

northwest of Holbrook, 

Idaho.

72 1,220 50+

See footnotes at end of table.
PEAK DISCHARGE DATA 23

Table 3. Records of flood stages and discharges by drainage basins, Idaho and Nevada Continued

Index

No.

Station

No. Stream and location

Drainage

t*i » d

(sq mi)

Maximum floods

Before February 1962

Year

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

February 1962

Date

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

T

(years)

Humboldt River Basin

13 __ 

14___ 

15...

16 ... 

17___ 

18...

19 ...

20 ...

21 ...

22 ...

23... 

24___ 

25...

26. __

27 ... 

28. __

29 __ 

30...

31 ... 

32 ...

10-3155 

3175

3185 

3195 

3200

3205

3210

3220

3225 

3230

3235

3245 

3250

3255

3275 

3309

Marys River above Hot 

Springs Creek, near 

Deeth, Nev. 

North Fork Humboldt 

River at Devils Gate, 

near Halleck, Nev. 

North Fork Humboldt

River near mouth, 

near Halleck, Nev. 

Humboldt River near 

Elko, Nev. 

Huntington Creek near 

Lee, Nev. 

South Fork Humboldt

above Dixie Creek,

near Elko, Nev. 

South Fork Humboldt

River near Elko, Nev. 

Humboldt River near

Carlin, Nev. 

Susie Creek at Carlin,

Nev.

IV/TQ et ft i fi C~*'r*&&\r af

Carlin, Nev.

Humboldt River at 

Palisade, Nev. 

Pine Creek near 

Palisade, Nev. 

Humboldt River at

Dunphy, Nev. 

Humboldt River near

Argenta, Nev. 

Rock Creek near Battle 

Mountain, Nev. 

Humboldt River at

Battle Mountain, Nev. 

Reese River near lone, 

Nev. 

Reese River at State

Highway 84, near 

Battle Mountain, Nev. 

Humboldt River at 

Comus, Nev. 

Humboldt River near

Winnemucca, Nev.

415 

830 

1,000

2,800 

770 

1,150

1,310

4,310

210

420

5,010 

920

7,490

875 

8,870

44 

2,200

12,100

1952 

1952

1952 

1952 

1952

1957

1914

1943

1952 

1943

1922

1943

1943 

1952

1952

1952 

1952

1956

1952

6.57 

9.63

9.60 

6.54

5.58

312.0

9.8

9.35

34.30

9.92 

4.69

5.60

4.86

11.52

1,250 

2,450

3,860 

1,210 

1,700

42,400

5,900

5,220 

51,900

800

6 1,200

6,250 

1,010

5,700

3,000 

5,800

512

5,860

12 

11 

12

12 

10

11

11

14 

11

12

12 

11 

12

15

11 

17

11 

1 ">

13 

21 

28

7.63 

16.12

12.32 

8.07

7.2

8.00

10.27

10.0 

8.51

10.75

6.89 

9.66

1.83

9.87 

8.32

4,210 

10,400 

5,550

7,100 

2,210

2,760

2,830

6,230 

2,470

2,310

6,610 

3,460 

7,620

6,000

4,800 

4,600

167 

4,760

1,700 

1,160

50+ 

50+ 

50+

50+

50+

50+ 

50+ 

50+

50+

50+

2

5+ 

5+

See footnotes at end of table.
24 FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHERN NEVADA

Table 3. Records of flood stages and discharges by drainage basins, Idaho and Nevada Continued

Index

No.

Station

No.

Stream and location

Drainage

(sq mi)

Maximum floods

Before February 1962

Year

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

February 1962

Date

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

T

[years)

Humboldt River Basin Continued

33 __

34 __

10-3315

3330

Humboldt River near

Rose Creek, Nev.

Humboldt River near

Imlay, Nev.

15,200

15,700

1952

1952

11.41

12.15

5,810

6,080

2

3

5.06

6.17

922

814

5+

5+

Snake River Main Stem

35_._ 13-0375 Snake River near Heise, 

Idaho.

5,752 1927 16.0 7 60,000 12 2.52 ^,940 1-

Lyons Creek Basin

36 __ Lyons (Lyman) Creek 

4.5 miles northeast of

Ririe, Idaho.

18 1,560 50+

Henrys Fork Basin

37 __ 

38 __

39 ...

40 __

41___

42___

43 __

44 __ 

45 __

46___

460

475

495

505 

522

544

550

565

Henrys Fork near Ashton, Idaho. 

Falls River near

Squirrel, Idaho. 

Falls River near

Chester, Idaho. 

Henrys Fork at St. 

Anthony, Idaho. 

Teton River below Bear

Creek, near Driggs, 

Idaho. 

Milk Creek at Highway O i/

33 near Tetonia, Idaho. 

Canyon Creek at Highway 33 near Clementsville, Idaho. 

Teton River near St. 

Anthony, Idaho. 

Moody Creek at railroad crossing 0.4 

mile south of Moody; 

Idaho. 

Henrys Fork near Rexburg, Idaho.

1,040 

351

520

1,770 

350

18

890 

88

2,920

1925 

1927

1927

1925 

1936

1893

1927

33.11

6.60

6.78

3 6.90

6,220 

6,440

6,380

8 9,030 

91,480

5,830

4 9,490

11

12

11

12

14

6.09

4.69

7.72

9.36

L0 10.02

^,210

^.IBO

179

10,600 

2,140

1 6,590

1

1

50+

100+ 

^0+

3

See footnotes at end of table.
PEAK DISCHARGE DATA

Table 3. Records of flood stages and discharges by drainage basins, Idaho and Nevada Continued

25

Index

No.

Station

No.

Drainage

dJL l_* cA

(sq mi)

Maximum floods

Before February 1962

Year

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

February 1962

Date

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

T

(years)

Willow Creek Basin

47...

48...

49___

13-0580 Willow Creek at discontinued station site

6 miles southeast of

Ririe, Idaho. 

Birch Creek 3.5 miles

solithwest of Heise,

Idaho.

\X/i 1 1 O W C^T*f^^\f tl^l Hi! t QT*V

2.1 miles southeast of

lona, Idaho.

622

21

9.8

1917 16.3 4,200

11

11

5,080

980

1,320

50+

50+

50+

Snake River Tributary No. 2 Basin

50___

51_._ 600

Snake River tributary

No. 2 at Interstate

Highway 1.5 miles 

east of Osgood, Idaho.

Sn

Snake River near

Shelley, Idaho.

9.C

ake River

9,790

Main

1894

Stem 

75,000

11

14 8.00

81

9,790

50+

1

Tributaries to Snake River Between Shelley and Blackfoot

52,..

53...

54...

55...

56...

57...

611 Snake River tributary 2

miles west of Osgood, 

Idaho. 

Henry Creek 6 miles

south of Ammon, 

Idaho. 

Cedar Creek 1 mile

east of Goshen, Idaho. 

Channel at U.S. Highway 20 crossing 10.6 

miles west of Idaho 

Falls, Idaho. 

Channel at U.S. Highway 20 crossing 11 

miles west of Idaho 

Falls, Idaho. 

Channel at U.S. Highway 20 crossing 16.5 

miles west of Idaho 

Falls, Idaho.

8.4

29

(11)

(11)

(11)

11

11

12.4 387

716

362

50+

50+

50+
26 FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

Table 3. Records of flood stages and discharges by drainage basins, Idaho and Nevada Continued

Index

No.

Station

No. Stream and location

Drainage

Ct J. W Ct

(sq mi)

Maximum floods

Before February 1962

Year

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

February 1962

Date

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

T

(years)

Tributaries to Snake River Between Shelley and Blackfoot Continued

58___

59___

Channel at U.S. High- o

way 20 crossing 20.5 

miles west of Idaho 

Falls, Idaho. 

Channel along U.S.

Highway 26 above 

Peoples Canal 4 miles 

northwest of Moreland, 

Idaho.

(ii)

(ii)

122

1,68C

50+

50+

Blackfoot River Basin

60___

61...

13-0660

685

Blackfoot River near

Shelley, Idaho. 

Blackfoot River near

Blackfoot, Idaho.

12325

12714 1960 6.42 1,070 11 7.68

1,600

1,710

13 50+

50+

Snake River Main Stem

62... 695 Snake River near Blackfoot, Idaho.

11,310 1918 14.8 46,200 15 7.14 112,600 1

Portneuf River Basin

63__.

64___

65__.

66...

67___ 

68...

69...

730

Portneuf River tributary 1 mile northwest 

of Bancroft, Idaho. 

Portneuf River tributary at county road 

6.5 miles northwest of 

Bancroft, Idaho. 

Portneuf River 6.5

miles northwest of 

Bancroft, Idaho. 

Fish Creek 2 miles east

of Lava Hot Springs, 

Idaho. 

Portneuf River at 

Topaz, Idaho. 

Portneuf River at railroad bridge 1.1 miles 

southeast of Inkom, 

Idaho. 

Marsh Creek at Highway 191 2.5 miles 

southwest of Downey, 

Idaho.

130

570 

650

68

1957 5.71 1,040 12 6.79

492

143,690 

4,380

550

50+

100+ 

100+

50+

See footnotes at end of table.
PEAK DISCHARGE DATA 2 7

Table 3. Records of flood stages and discharges by drainage basins, Idaho and Nevada Continued

Index

No.

Station

No.

Stream and location

Drainage 

area

(sq mi)

Maximum .floods

Before February 1962

Year

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

February 1962

Date

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

T

(years)

Portneuf River Basin Continued

70___ 

71__.

72__.

73__.

13-0750

755

Marsh Creek near 

Me Gammon, Idaho. 

Gibson Jack Creek 5

miles southeast of 

Pocatello, Idaho. 

Portneuf River at Pocatello, Idaho. 

Portneuf River at

county bridge 5 miles 

northwest of Pocatello, 

Idaho.

355 

10.3

1,250

1958

1917

6.72 342

2,000+

12

14

13.25

11.35

1,120 

57

2,990

50+ 

50+

100+

Bannock Creek Basin

74___

75___

76 __

760 Bannock Creek near

Pocatello, Idaho.

Rattlesnake Creek near

mouth, near Pocatello,

Idaho.

Bannock Creek at Highway 30 near Pocatello,

Idaho.

230

413

1957 7.00 675

4,010 50+

Snake River Main Stem

77___

78 __

765

770

Inflow to American

Falls Reservoir.

Snake River at Neeley,

Idaho.

13,580

13,600

.____

1918

_______

313.5

.______.

48,400

13,

14

15

______

2.37

114,600

X497

 ___

1-

Rock Creek Basin

79___

80_._

81 __

Rock Creek 2.5 miles

north of Roy, Idaho.

Rock Creek above East

Fork at Rockland,

Idaho.

Rock Creek at mouth,

near American Falls,

Idaho.

216

320

1960 6.21 15275 11 2,150

3,630

50+

50+

Raft River Basin

82___ 780 Raft River at Peterson

Ranch, near Bridge,

Idaho.

412 1951 4.52 1,090 11 4. id 722

1

25+

See footnotes at end of table.
28 FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

Table 3. Records of flood stages and discharges by drainage basins, Idaho and Nevada Continued

Index

No.

Station

No. Stream and location

Drainage

t* J. t* O.

(sq mi)

Maximum floods

Before February 1962

Year

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

February 1962

Date

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

T

(years)

Raft River Basin Continued

83...

84

85...

86

13-0792

798

Cassia Creek near Elba,

Idaho.

Heglar Creek below

North and South Heglar

Canyons, above Heglar

Canyon tributary near

Rockland, Idaho.

Heglar Canyon tributary

below North and South

Heglar Canyons near

Rockland, Idaho.

Heglar Canyon below

Heglar Canyon tributary near Rockland,

Idaho.

84

45

7.72

54

1957

1958

4.61

7.5

233

1,660

11

11

4.71

6.02

245

142

132

25+

50+

50+

Goose Creek Basin

87... 825 Goose Creek above

Trapper Creek, near

Oakley, Idaho.

633 1943 7.6 1,670 11 9.0 2,500 50+

Salmon Falls Creek Basin

88...

89...

960

1050

Salmon Falls Creek

above Upper Vineyard

ditch, near Contact,

Nev.

Salmon Falls Creek

near San Jacinto, Nev.

461

1,450

1952

1943

4.82

10.2

toll. 4

1,170

2,060

to 2, 420

12

12

6.68

12.65

2,300

1,980

50+

35+

Mud Lake-Lost River Basin

90...

91...

Channel at U.S. Highway

20 crossing 40 miles 

west of Idaho Falls, 

Idaho. 

Channel to U.S. Highway

20 crossing 29 miles, 

west of Idaho Falls, 

Idaho.

(11)

(11) 407 50+

See footnotes at end of table.
PEAK DISCHARGE DATA 2 9

Table 3. Records of flood stages and discharges by drainage basins, Idaho and Nevada Continued

Index

No.

Station

No. Stream and location

Drainage

CXX 1L* Cl

(sq mi)

Maximum floods

Before February 1962

Year

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

February 1962

Date

Gage

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

T

(years)

Big Wood River Basin

92

93

94

95...

96

97

98...

13-1465

1525

Big Wood River tributary at Highway 93 and

railroad 20 miles north

of Shoshone, Idaho.

Thorn Creek above

Preacher Creek 9

miles northeast of

Gooding, Idaho.

Preacher Creek near

mouth 9.5 miles northeast of Gooding, Idaho.

Big Wood River at

Gooding, Idaho.

Dry Creek at bridge 6

miles northwest of

Gooding, Idaho.

Jim Byrnes Slough at

Highway 20 bridge 1

mile east of Richfield,

Idaho.

Big Wood River near

Gooding, Idaho.

46

26

2,190

84

2,990

1896

1952

9.6

10.67

5,940

6,500

10

10

6. 50

10.34

680

12 2,300

1,300

12 6,010

50+

13 50+

50+

13 50+

Clover Creek Basin

99... 1540 Clover Creek near 

Bliss, Idaho.

140 1960 7.57 2,700 10 8.59 4,100 50+

Snake River Main Stem

100.. 1545 Snake River at King 

Hill, Idaho.

35,800 1918 16.3 47,200 11 9.04 He, 200 1

Bruneau River Basin

101.. 1685 Bruneau River near 

Hot Spring, Idaho.

2,630 1910 13.0 6,500 13 8.99 3,200 7

Owyhee River Basin

102.. 1760 Owyhee River above 

China diversion dam, 

near Owyhee, Nev.

458 1952 10.07 2,710 12 8.83 12 1,280J 13 6

See footnotes at end of table.
30 FLOODS OF FEBRUARY 1962 IN SOUTHERN IDAHO AND NORTHEASTERN NEVADA

Table 3. Records of flood stages and discharges by drainage basins, Idaho and Nevada Continued

Index 

No.

Station 

No. Stream and location

Drainage 

(sq mi)

Maximum floods

Before February 1962

Year

Gage 

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

February 1962

Date

Gage 

height 

(feet)

Discharge 

(cfs)

T 

[years.)

Owyhee River Basin Continued

103__

104__

13-1772

1778

South Fork Owyhee

River at Spanish Ranch,

near Tuscarora, Nev.

South Fork Owyhee

River near Whiterock,

Nev.

330

1,080 1957 7.17 3,420 11 6.49 2,720 6

1Regulated.

2 At site above Evans Dividers.

q

Site and datum then in use. 

4Daily.

At site 2.5 miles upstream.

At site 4.5 miles upstream.

7Result of washing out of landslide on Gros Ventre River. 

8 May have been higher during winters. 

9At site above Bear Creek. 

10Backwater from ice.

13

Part of contributing area in lava beds; boundary indefinite. 

Reservoir upstream not contributing. 

For drainage below reservoir.

14Natural peak; discharge rose to 6,140 (gage height, 7.83 ft), when highway fill broke 2 miles 

upstream.

15At site 3.5 miles upstream.

INT.DUP..D.C.62-16672