History of Flooding in Davis County
(From Jeffrey R. Keaton, AGRA Earth & Environmental, Inc., and Mike Lowe, Utah Geological Survey)
Davis County has experienced debris flows and debris floods since pioneers first arrived there in 1847.
One report of a big flood (in 1860 or 1861) was considered beneficial, and has become part of local legend. According to the legend, the pioneers in Farmington wanted to build a new chapel from stone, but couldn't get any rock material out of the nearby canyon. The pioneers reportedly held a prayer meeting to help find a solution. Shortly thereafter, a flood deposited a large number of rocks that were used to construct the chapel.
A total of 78 flooding events have been reported in Davis County since 1847. Forty of them were caused by cloudburst rainstorms. Sixteen were caused by landslides as the result of rapid snowmelt. The most severe events occurred in 1912, 1923, 1930, and 1983.
The most disastrous flood in Utah history took place in Farmington Canyon, in August 1923, as the result of a cloudburst. About 8:00 p.m. flood waters about 30 feet high and 200 feet wide moved down Farmington Canyon. The water inundated many campers near the mouth of the canyon. Seven people died.
The worst damage resulted from a flood at Rudd Creek in 1983. Four or five homes were destroyed, one was pushed off its foundation. A total of 35 homes were damaged, 15 severely. This flood and mudslide was the result of snowpack that melted very quickly.
