Flood — Ferry, Washington

2017-04-08 to 2017-04-15 · near West Fork, Ferry, Washington

Event narrative

The USGS River Gage near Jack Creek recorded a rapid rise beginning on April 8th with a peak on the 9th near 8.5 feet. A second rise occurred on April 14th. While no official Flood Stage exists for this gage, this period of high flow corresponded with extensive flooding of bottom lands, roads, bridges and parks along the river. One residence on the river bank was undermined and eventually toppled into the river.

A second river gage at Keller, also with no official Flood Stage was observed to achieve 9.7 feet on April 8th which may have set a record flow for this gage.

Wider weather episode

Spring snow melt and periodic heavy rain during March and April caused the Sanpoil River running through Colville Tribal lands to flood. A media statement issued by the Ferry County Sheriff's Office and the Colville Tribal Police described the inundation as the worst flooding in decades. The river damaged bridges, roads and parks along the bottom lands and undermined one residence, causing it to topple into the river. Another house was threatened as the river eroded the hill side it was built upon.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (48.4749, -118.7979)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 693054. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.