Two extensive rainstorms caused flooding in December 1867 and January 1868. The first unseasonably warm rainstorm began on December 20 and fell on existing snowpack, and ended December 25. The second intense rainstorm occurred from December 30 through January 2. The Carson Valley became a vast lake, and the flooding exceeded the 1861 flood crest. All bridges in the Carson Valley crossing the East and West Forks of the Carson River, and the main stem, were swept away.
Meteorological:
Type of event: rain-on-snow
Description:
No recorded precipitation is available. Information is anecdotal. From December 20, 1867, to January 2, 1868, two extensive rainstorms occurred. The first began on an existing snowpack on December 20 and ended on December 25, 1867. The second storm occurred after a short break from December 30, 1867, through January 2, 1868 (Rigby and other, 1998).
References:
Rigby, J.G., Crompton, E.J., Berry, K.A., Yildirim, U., Hickman, S.F., and Davis, D.A., 1998, The 1997 New Year's Floods in Western Nevada; Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Special Publication 23, p. 81
Hydrologic Data:
No Hydrologic Data available.
Photos:
No Photos Available.
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