We took JD-Force 1 up today to get a bird’s eye view of the flooding in California. There’s been a lot of talk about the spillway at Oroville Dam lately, but I also wanted to see how the lower end of the system was faring. What we saw was amazing!
Starting with Liberty Island in the North Delta. Look at the debris and the whitewater…
The Rio Vista Bridge looks like it doesn’t have much clearance right now. Lots of homes and businesses on the shore either flooded or getting very close…
Looking down Cache Slough towards Rio Vista. The current speed and amount of debris in the water is staggering…
Hidden Harbor where Steamboat and Cache Sloughs meet..
A closer look at the bottom end of the Liberty Island area, where Prospect and Cache slough meet…
The Wimpy’s and New Hope area of the Mokelumne River, where the houseboats broke loose on Friday. All the house trailers are gone…I hope everybody was able to get out in time…
Apparently, the Deep Water Channel is the only clear water in the state…
Looking north towards the Causeway. The bypass looks like the Amazon…
Unfortunately, there are lots of homes and farms either flooded or getting very close…
Sadly, there will be lots more structures inundated I’m afraid by the time this is all over. Look at the rapids caused by the road…
More properly and structures underwater…
Willow Berm Marina on the Mokelumne River seems to be hanging in there…
A wide, bird’s eye view of Liberty Island. So much junk down there it’s insane…
Lisa says
This makes me want to cry as we are currently trying to buy a new build home in a brand new community off Liberty Island Road by LGI Homes. They have put drains in the yards. They say according to our zone (via fema flood map), we are 1 in a 100 year shot of flooding where we are. All the stress of buying our first home is making me feel ill this is what may happen to us. Gather flood ins. is costly but will look into it. Then there’s the slow rise of all of our water ways to consider down the road due to global warming. Maybe we should just walk away from this. Truly ??grateful for sharing these with us!
Kim Knerl says
Thanks for sharing these photos. I lived in Walnut Grove for years, still have friends there, so it’s an area of concern for me. Back in January 1997 when there was flooding like that I had a chance to fly over the area like that in a private plane owned by Joey Sanchez from Joe Sanchez Farms. Maybe you know him?
Bob McDaris says
Thank you for the awesome pictures. I need a stripper for the derby I’m in by March 1st. What do you think? Is the port my only chance?
JD says
Yeah, all I saw from the air that was clear was the DWC
stefano Flocchini says
from what i see . I`m shocked at the California Government not making it a State of emergency for that area you flew over.
Jeffrey says
The CA Delta and most of Central Valley was originally floodplain before diversion and damming. This flooding goes to show the persistence of nature in the face of human interference.
JD says
Indeed!
Emma.G. says
You have to know it is normal to get flooded living in a California flood plain. If your house is not built on 20 feet tall posts to be above any flood you simply decided to be an idiot and have mud coated stuff.
Rosalina says
Hello!
Incredible pictures, they really give context to how the Oroville Dam is affecting areas farther away. The one that shows the shape of the flood creeping into the farms is haunting. I am wishing with all my heart everyone is safe and if anything is lost is material and recuperable.
I wanted to let you now, I spotted a misspelling in the title for your 11th picture; it says “More properly and structures underwater… ” and I think you might have meant “property”.
Thank you again for the post and if possible, keep them coming!
JD says
Yes, the reach is far and wide!
Sean M says
Thanks for taking the time to get those pics. They are unbelievable!!
JD says
You got it!
Philip says
Hey JD when should I head back out for steelhead and sturgeon at nimbus and the delta. I was heading out tomorrow but it looks flooded.
JD says
Hahah…forget about it! The American is 85,000 cfs right now and dangerous as all hell…dont get near it!
Mark says
My buddy caught a steelhead at 85,000 cfs on the AR.
That same day, I caught and rescued; an immature western skink, a sharp-tailed snake and a king snake.
All critters caught in the water at the edge.
JD says
WOW
Mikey B says
JD nice work those photos sure give the true perspective! Hope the next storms are’nt as bad.
JD says
Thanks Mike!
Francis Paul Czyz says
….I believe we all should relax a bit for the Delta was in need of a good flush…sorry about the folks that had their homes flooded but living on the Delta this situation is expected.. Late summer/fall the fishing should be awesome…./what do you think JD ?
JD says
Well, you are indeed right that floods are very healthy for river systems so they can flush out and rejuvenate. This one is a bit off-putting because of the red sediment in the river from the spillway at Oroville. The turbidity even down here in Sac is the worst I have ever seen and hoping we don’t have a major fish kill through the whole system.
In the meantime, I’m most concerned about all the homes, people and property that this is going to affect right now…but yes, when the dust settles and the waters recede, we could see some good action!
Larry Schaller says
Seeing is believing. The forces of nature at work are both powerful & alarming…?
JD says
For sure!
Mike says
Awesome pics JD!
JD says
Thanks, Mike