This is one of those instances, while researching something, I stumble along a gem. In 1914-15, work had begun to fill in the low land of Susanville’s Main Street between Weatherlow and Grand Avenue. One issue to be addressed was Piute Creek, which a bridge was in place. While not in the city’s jurisdiction at the time, Lassen County consulted with the city father’s as to a replacement for the crossing. It was mutually agreed in the fall of 1916, to replace the bridge with a metal culvert. This, of course, became a major problem for decades to come, as the culvert was too small to begin with and was prone to being blocked by debris that caused wide spread flooding.
It is Obviously Not a photo from as early as 1916. As some of these automobiles are from the late 1930’s. I believe this photo to be taken about 1938. and was a flood which was the result of a dam up Piute Creek, which busted and flooded the lower end of Susanville. I believe this dam was built by a lumber Co. ( Maybe The Red River Lumber Co.) Robert Lee Ramey
The undersized culvert under Parkdale Ave. is the culprit behind many of the flooding issues that those neighborhoods have.