Walla Walla River from Hwy 12 Provided By Kevin Pogue of Whitman College
Walla Walla River Provided by Kevin Pogue
To orient you, a topographic map of the region is shown below. The Blue Mountain's slopes on the northeast side are oriented southwest to northeast--that is going to be very important in understanding what happened a few days ago.
Heavy rains on these northeast slopes flowed into rivers heading to the northwest, bringing most to flood stage and some to record flood levels not observed in a century. I-84 and other roads were closed in places.
I-84 West of Baker Oregon
The rainfall totals for this precipitation event were extraordinary: some places received nearly 10 inches, and 3-6 inches were commonplace (see totals below for Feb 5-8).
The 7-day total precipitation from the National Weather Service show the situation with a wider view (see below). You can also the even larger amounts on the western side of the Cascades, but the larger rivers on the western side of the Cascades can handle huge amounts of rainfall better. Still there was plenty of flooding in western Washington.
For example, the discharge of the Umatilla River (Near Gibbon, Oregon)...see map below... blasted the previous all time record (black line) and far exceeded daily records (red triangle).
So why was this event so extreme for northeast Blue Mountains? Good question.
The answer was that we had an unusual multi-day atmospheric river that came in from the west-northwest, with wind optimized to push directly up the northwest side of the Blue Mountains (see water vapor channel satellite picture last on February 6th). The result was intense precipitation and flooding.
Wow. I think I see an overturned semi in that picture of I-84. Is there any reason to think that climate change could have an effect on the direction of our atmospheric river events?
ReplyDeleteCould soil permeability have made a contribution to the flooding? The desert southwest can have massive flooding with comparatively small amounts because the rain simply flows over the surfaces and does not soak in.
ReplyDeletecome on Cliff, don't gin up the "human caused global warming freaks". We all know it is god raising "cain" with the world. Right?
ReplyDeleteOne of the deadliest flash floods in the US happened in 1903 in that area ... in Heppner OR on a creek coming off of the Blue Mountains http://www.offbeatoregon.com/H1004c_HeppnerFlood.html
ReplyDeleteA dam built on Willow Creek (which flows from the Blue Mountains) has saved Heppner several times since: https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2011/07/controversial_dam_built_to_prevent_repeat_of_deadly_1903_flood_in_heppner_saves_the_day.html
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard they closed parts of 84 for widespread flooding, I had no idea why - and since there was scant background from the MSM regarding the underlying reasons WHY, I greatly appreciate your explanation.
ReplyDeleteUseful post. Thanks. I live in Kooskooskie and the the river was incredible. It flooded one cabin that has never flooded since it was built in the 1920's.
ReplyDeleteHi cliff, I was just wondering
ReplyDeleteWHEN are we ever gonna see the sun again!?