Wheels West Day in Susanville History – April 11th, 1951

Flooding along Main Street near Grand Ave, 1938 ~ From Tim Purdy's Susanville at a Glance

WATER HIGH IN PAIUTE
Susanville Flooded
April 11th, 1938

Sections of Susanville were under water today as the dam in Paiute canyon broke early this morning and sent flood waters tumbling over ranch and city property.

The California Utilities ranch was flooded and one block of Weatherlow Street was washed out.

The sudden flood of water that covered the low lands along Paiute creek Monday morning and surrounded homes in the Cornell addition, looked very threatening for a few hours.

Many men worked to keep Main Street near the Memorial building from being flooded but by noon over two feet of water was flowing across the street.

H.C. Hindley, whose property was damaged by the flood, went up the mountain to find the cause. A break in the railroad fill had released the water.

He reported that a mile and a half nearer Susanville another body of water has been impounded in the canyon and may break through the fill at any time.

While the body of water is not as large as the flow that rushed down Paiute creek, still there is danger of another flood, Hindley said.

The railroad was built by the Red River Lumber Company of Westwood, and has been used for a logging train. For the past year the road has not been in use.

Six families in the flooded areas left their homes hurriedly after the waters washed away outbuildings and uprooted trees.

We are always looking for new pictures to preserve and share in our historical photo collection and we would love to see yours.Your picture will be added to our digital archive for future use and we will make sure you receive credit whenever possible. Email your contribution along with your name and a short description of what you’ve sent to webxtra@susanvillestuff.com. A digital copy of every submission will also be donated to the Lassen Historical Society for preservation in their files.

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