1/31/97: There's lot's more cleanup to do, and opportunities for everyone to help. See the flood volunteers page for more information.
1/25/97: The Coloma Valley was evacuated last night when a landslide near Kyburz blocked the upper South Fork of the American River. One home was destroyed in the slide, and Highway 50 is closed again from Pollock Pines to Meyers.
Water began backing up behind the temporary dam, and officials feared that when it broke through there could be a wall of water that could destroy Slab Creek Reservoir and cause massive damage downstream. Fortunately the water worked its way through more politely and residents were allowed to return to their homes this morning.
For more details, see articles posted by the Sacramento Bee (detailed text). See the Coloma Weather Page for links to current weather and highway conditions.
1/23/97: The numbers are in. They have been able to take readings from the Chili Bar spillway, to determine the peak flows on January 2, 1997. They have determined the peak volume at Chili Bar to be 71,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). With all the runoff and side creeks, downstream volumes would be higher.
We've been told that the 100-year flood level at Chili Bar is estimated at 70,000 cfs, so this was in fact a 100-year flood. Note that for the upper South Fork (Kyburz area) it was more of a 200-300-year flood.
1/20/97: THANK YOU to all the volunteers who helped with cleanup the past two weekends! If you're feeling left out of the action, you can relax -- there's more to be done, and work parties will continue at least through the next two weekends.
A special THANKS goes to John Tillman, local resident and owner of Sierra Disposal. John donated two large dumpsters for river clean-up projects.
For more information on how you can be a part of the recovery effort, check the volunteers page or contact the Mother Lode Church at (916) 622-0686.
If you find salvage along the river, please remember that someone may be looking for it -- "finders keepers" doesn't apply when someone's belongings have been washed downstream. You can turn useable salvage in to Mother Lode Church or just give them a call with of the description of what you found, and they will try to match the lost with the found. Likewise if you've lost something, contact the church.
Do you have high-water photos of the "blue house" on river left just above the Hwy 49 bridge? The owners need photos for insurance. If you have photos of this house or others inundated, please contact us and we'll try to connect you with the homeowners.
Coloma Valley