Harrison hit hard by flooding
LISA JAMES/Press Harrison’s waterfront has been rising with the recent rain and melting snow, submerging Harrison City RV Campground and the Gateway Marina parking lot, including the entrance to the dockside cafe and its picnic tables. Mudslides have also been spilling onto the road near the steeper parts of Highway 97.
LISA JAMES/PressHarrison's waterfront has been rising with the recent rain and melting snow, submerging Harrison City RV Campground and the Gateway Marina parking lot, including the entrance to the dockside cafe and its picnic tables. Mudslides have also been spilling onto the road near the steeper parts of Highway 97.
LISA JAMES/PressGas pumps at Harrison's Gateway Marina parking lot are partly submerged after a week of warm temperatures has brought snowmelt down from the hillsides. Mudslides have also been spilling onto the road near the steeper parts of Highway 97.
LISA JAMES/PressHarrison's waterfront has been rising with the recent rain and melting snow, submerging Harrison City RV Campground and the Gateway Marina parking lot, including the entrance to the dockside cafe and its picnic tables. Mudslides have also been spilling onto the road near the steeper parts of Highway 97.
LISA JAMES/PressHarrison's waterfront has been rising with the recent rain and melting snow, submerging Harrison City RV Campground and the Gateway Marina parking lot, including the entrance to the dockside cafe and its picnic tables. Mudslides have also been spilling onto the road near the steeper parts of Highway 97.
LISA JAMES/PressHarrison's waterfront has been rising with the recent rain and melting snow, submerging Harrison City RV Campground and the Gateway Marina parking lot, including the entrance to the dockside cafe and its picnic tables. Mudslides have also been spilling onto the road near the steeper parts of Highway 97.
LISA JAMES/PressHarrison's waterfront has been rising with the recent rain and melting snow, submerging Harrison City RV Campground and the Gateway Marina parking lot, including the entrance to the dockside cafe and its picnic tables. Mudslides have also been spilling onto the road near the steeper parts of Highway 97.
LISA JAMES/PressHarrison's waterfront has been rising with the recent rain and melting snow, submerging Harrison City RV Campground and the Gateway Marina parking lot, including the entrance to the dockside cafe and its picnic tables. Mudslides have also been spilling onto the road near the steeper parts of Highway 97.
LISA JAMES/PressMudslides from melting snow have also been spilling onto the road near the steeper parts of Highway 97 near Harrison creating a dangerous situations for motorists and homeowners.
HARRISON — With the Coeur d’Alene River running into Lake Coeur d’Alene at Harrison, it’s not surprising the little lakefront city is taking on water right now.
The spring runoff and rains affecting much of the region have flooded Harrison City RV Campground and the neighboring Gateway Marina along the city’s waterfront.
“We have received reports of rocks crumbling and sliding onto Highway 97,” said Mandy Begin, Harrison’s city clerk.
Since the weekend, Harrison has had two landslides and deteriorating conditions on two streets from the ongoing precipitation and snow melt.
Begin said the city is working with its Public Works Department, the Idaho Transportation Department and engineers to evaluate the streets and flooded areas.
“City engineers made recommendations to reach out to LHTAC (Local Highway Technical Assistance Council) in order to secure emergency funding,” Begin said.
Such funding is only available if the city issues a declaration of emergency, which Begin said city officials expect to do this week. “Public Works is working around the clock to monitor conditions and keep residents safe and informed of any major issues that need to be dealt with,” Begin said. “Mayor Irish would like to emphasize her appreciation to ITD, Idaho Parks and Waterways and East Side Fire District for their support.”
The Coeur d’Alene River near Harrison was at 32.20 feet at 4:30 p.m. Monday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The river runs along the city’s northern edge, and the USGS reports the record crest there was 33.6 feet.
Coeur d’Alene River conditions 25 miles upstream at Cataldo are a predictor of flooding at Harrison. The National Weather Service expects Harrison to flood when the river reaches the flood stage of 43 feet at Cataldo. By 5:30 p.m. Monday, the Coeur d’Alene River at Cataldo was at 43.33 feet. The NWS notes if the ground is already wet, flooding can occur at lower levels.
“The unusually wet and snowy winter raised the water table unusually high over North Idaho,” stated the NWS in a flood warning, which remains in effect until noon today. Increased runoff is expected to continue with rainfall forecast at times into Wednesday.
The weather service cautions “saturated ground has produced conditions ripe for landslides and debris flows on steep slopes around the area. Residents with homes on or at the base of hillsides should be aware of the potential for landslides and watch for trees leaning in unusual orientations.”
Residents throughout North Idaho should also be on the lookout for water and mud seepage where not expected and other signs of potential ground movement.