The Bonners Ferry Flood of 1916
The
town and valley had no dikes, and the river
filled fast.People began to vacate their homes and moved possessions to higher ground.
On June 19, the river overflowed, covering the business part of Bonners Ferry and the residential area of the flat.
The waters finally receded, leaving a mud silt on everything. There were clouds and clouds of mosquitos. People had to fan them away from their eyes while walking.
The entire Kootenai Valley was under water, as there were no drainage districts or dikes back then.