Historic Hood River
Hood River From East Side, 1948 Flood
4-14-2011
Notes
The flood of May and June 1948 was among the worst on record for the Columbia River. This was the first major flood after the construction of the Bonneville and Grand Coulee Dams, and caused major property damage at Vanport near Portland. This view from the east side loops of the Columbia River Highway shows the Columbia at Hood River reached the train tracks and backed up the Hood River a considerable distance.
l.e.
Can you imagine all of those semis climbing the loops now days? It looks like a well established island out in the middle of the river. Is that still there?
Arthur
That’s Wells Island, which is still there. There will be a another image of it posted in two weeks, showing its pre-dam size.
l.e.
Thanks Arthur. I wondered if that was Wells, but I thought it was farther downstream .
And thanks for the bridge perspective. Now we can always use the bottom of the arch to judge "how high’s the water mamma?"
To me, the landscape already looks dry. I wonder if it turned hot in May.
Melanee
The problem with that formula is that State St bridge was removed. The new one is further upstream and higher above the river.
Charlott
The current bridge is built at a different angle than this one to remove the sharp curve. The one new has the gradual curve to it.
Barbara Parsons
You mention the Vanport Flood. Has anyone taken pictures of the many ‘Vanport houses’ that are now part of Hood River’s housing stock? I am thinking of the Walters home at 4th and May Streets and the Paul and Lucia Silberberg home between 2nd and 4th on Prospect’s south side to start with.