In 1937 the State of California reconstucted Highway395 between Standish and Litchfield. At the lowest section around Susan River the State raised the road bed by two feet. In doing so, they blocked numerous culverts and redesigned the bridge over Susan River.

In 1952 the region experienced heavy snowfall. On March 25, 1952 floodwaters from Willow Creek and Balls Canyon, nearby tributaries to Susan River, surged and the redesigned highway acted as a levee. flooding the farm lands of  Hardin & Edith Barry, Chris & Marie Miller and L.F. & Lura Dozier. The flood water did not recede until nearly sixty days later. The three couples sued the State for damages related the floodwaters.  In 1957 they settled out of court with Millers receiving $2,000; Doziers, $2,500 and Barrys $1,000.

Tim