City and county officials prepare for record high Boise River levels
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BOISE - In the last few days the Boise River has risen higher than it has in over a decade, which has prompted city and county officials to have a plan of action.
For Greenbelt goers, it's a detour as paths are covered by feet of water, but as the river continues to rise it becomes a direct threat to homes and businesses.
"I live by Barber Park so I've seen a lot of houses that are close to that," said Kjirsten Brebik of Boise.
Because the river is at its highest since 1998 officials from Star, Eagle, and the Ada County Sheriff's office have set up an emergency response management team.
"With this we're getting ahead of the game, we're setting stuff up, and we're preparing for the worst case scenario," said Nevil Humphreys with the emergency management response team.
In 2006 the river was flowing at 7,400 cubic feet per second, just above flood stage, when a levy broke and flooded parts of Eagle Island.
Today it's flowing close to 8,000 cfs and water experts say it could rise as high as 8,400.
"If there's going to be some encroachment on peoples property of their house we want to be able to say 'here, all the agencies got together and we're going to be able to help you' and it's planned out," said Chief John Laraway of the Star Police Department.
Piles of sand have also been dropped at three other locations in neighborhoods that are likely the first to see flooding, should the rising river leaves its banks. Homeowners who have questions about sandbags can call:
In Eagle or unincorporated north Ada County: Eagle Fire Department Station #1: 939-6463
In Star: Star Fire Department: 286-7772
For Greenbelt goers, it's a detour as paths are covered by feet of water, but as the river continues to rise it becomes a direct threat to homes and businesses.
"I live by Barber Park so I've seen a lot of houses that are close to that," said Kjirsten Brebik of Boise.
Because the river is at its highest since 1998 officials from Star, Eagle, and the Ada County Sheriff's office have set up an emergency response management team.
"With this we're getting ahead of the game, we're setting stuff up, and we're preparing for the worst case scenario," said Nevil Humphreys with the emergency management response team.
In 2006 the river was flowing at 7,400 cubic feet per second, just above flood stage, when a levy broke and flooded parts of Eagle Island.
Today it's flowing close to 8,000 cfs and water experts say it could rise as high as 8,400.
"If there's going to be some encroachment on peoples property of their house we want to be able to say 'here, all the agencies got together and we're going to be able to help you' and it's planned out," said Chief John Laraway of the Star Police Department.
Piles of sand have also been dropped at three other locations in neighborhoods that are likely the first to see flooding, should the rising river leaves its banks. Homeowners who have questions about sandbags can call:
In Eagle or unincorporated north Ada County: Eagle Fire Department Station #1: 939-6463
In Star: Star Fire Department: 286-7772
