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~ Enderby Cliffs
~ Floods
~ ~ Flood of
1928
~ ~ Flood of
1935
~ ~ Flood of
1948
~ ~ Flood of
1972
~ ~ 1990 Debris
Torrent
~ Geology of North
Okanagan
~ Naming of Enderby
~ Shuswap River
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The town of Enderby and the entire
Shuswap has been periodically flooded from about 1887. This article covers the floods that
occurred in 1928, 1935, 1948, 1972, and 1990.
In 1928, a sudden hot spell causing a massive snow melt brought the water level up six feet higher than normal. The government score stick was topped at twenty-two feet, and the greasy pole that was normally four to six feet out of the water weas submerged and had to be replaced. Mabel Lake Road and Mara Road were under water, the C.P.R. rails north and south of Enderby were under water. Water was found from the Dunn Place to the cemetary hill, the Stickland place and near the brickyard were flooded, from Weir flats to the rock bluff was flooded, the bridge at the Rands' place was washed out, and the new Hupel school was cut off by flood waters so a madeshift bridge was made so the students could reach the school.
The flood of 1935 was caused by heavy rains and then a large cloud burst in the hills. Although it caused extensive water flow, little damage to farms and fields was recorded. Brash Creek, Asthon Creek, Falls Creek, and Cooke's Creek were all affected. Bridges were washed out. Rail lines were destroyed, and roads were damaged and made unusable for sone time. As a result of the damage to the roads, three men walded down from Mabel Lake to town to reach their places of business.
In 1948, a cold spring and sudden hot spell caused drastic effects from the flooding that followed. The water level rose, creeks overflowed, and roads were washed out. Residents of both town and country suffered property and crop damage rendered by the flooding waters.
In 1972 Mabel Lake backed up and a hot spell melted the snow, flooding resulted. Septic tanks were flooded, basements were flooded, gardens had to be replanted, and dead fish were found in in people's barns. Herb Barber's place, Carbert's pond, the Riverside subdivision, North Enderby, and Crystal Sands Resort all felt the effects of the flood waters.
The most recent flood in 1990 was caused mainly by rainfall. The ground became saturated over the course of weeks steady rain, and then a large amount of rain in a short time was the final decideng factor. A large snow pack on Hunters Range aided to the fear of flooding. Creeks overflowed, power lines were destroyed, trees were uprooted, roads were washed out, and large deposits of soil and rock were left on the remaining roads. Many families had to be evacuated along the Mabel Lake Road because of the threat of mud slides coming down the mountain sides.
It seems that over the years, flooding in the Enderby area is not uncommon. The long-time residents remember many floods, some large, some small, some in between. The residents have learned that team co-operation and selfless giving of personal time is the key to cleaning up the debris and getting the people and the town back on its feet and running again.
Shelly Glen, Paul Maynard, Erik Swanson
ALF School 1989