The Big Wood River continued to rise Thursday, spilling water into low-lying areas along its banks throughout the Wood River Valley.
An emergency declaration was issued Thursday afternoon in Hailey as fast-moving water threatened homes in the southwest part of the city.
"It's becoming quite dangerous down there," said Hailey City Clerk Heather Dawson.
Some 20 homes in the Della View subdivision area were threatened as the river reached seven inches above the six-foot flood stage and was expected to rise higher through the weekend.
Children rode bicycles and played in some of the streets earlier but were warned of the dangers.
"Over a foot above flood stage, the fast-moving water is dangerous and should be avoid by motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians," says a statement issued by the city.
No evacuations had been ordered, but vehicle traffic was halted and cars ordered removed from portions of War Eagle, Della Vista and Triumph drives.
Moderate flooding was also reported in Ketchum, Bellevue and elsewhere.
"Anywhere there's a low spot, there's water in it," said Chuck Turner, Blaine County Disaster Services coordinator.
The National Weather Service in Pocatello predicted the river will continue to rise through the weekend, cresting at 7.13 feet on Saturday. Clouds and cooler weather that rolled into the valley Thursday afternoon are expected to slow the rate of snow melt from the mountains, leading to a drop in river levels after this weekend.
But the river is expected to stay above flood stage until Wednesday.
Scattered rainfall was predicted from Thursday through Sunday with maximum accumulations of .23 inches. NWS hydrologist Sherrie Hebert said that's not enough to significantly impact the flooding situation.
In Ketchum, the police department closed some 10 river access trails or roads and advised people to stay away from the river.
Minor flooding was reported in the west portion of the city and portions of Wood River Drive and Williams and Sabala streets were closed.
Minor flooding was also reported on Adams Gulch Road north of Ketchum and in lower Bellevue.
In Hailey, a controversy arose over the placement of sandbags in Della View Subdivision.
War Eagle Drive resident Kevin Wilson said the city placed sandbags near the river to protect homes but removed them Thursday afternoon after one homeowner threatened legal action.
"They just pulled all the bags and threatened a lot more homes," Wilson said. "It's just swamped down here now," he said.
Wilson said he doesn't think any of the homes have water in them yet. "No, but it's getting close. If it goes up another foot, some people might be in trouble," he said.
Although NWS predicted the river will drop after this weekend, Hebert said that doesn't mean the end of a flood threat from the Big Wood River.
"With as much snow as there is up in the mountains, we're expecting another peak down the road," she said. "So we can't say it's over yet.
"The wild card is precipitation -- that's what could make the situation go worse." Hebert said.
Hailey Public Works Director Ray Hyde checks out the water level in Della View Subdivision Thursday afternoon. Photo by David N. Seelig
