E.G. Pearson E. R. Hedman 1966 <p>Severe flooding occurred in southern California in late November and late December 1965 as a result of three heavy storms. Rain occurred on most days during the period November 13-26 and December 28-31, with major amounts distributed in three periods: November 13-19, 21-26, and December 28-31. More than 12 inches of precipitation was reported at Mount Baldy and Big Bear Lake on November 23, 1965; and more than 15 inches was reported at Mount Baldy on December 29, 1965.</p><p>Peak discharges at streamflow stations were generally the highest since 1943. The Los Angeles River at Sepulveda Dam and the Santa Clara River at the Los Angeles-Ventura County line had peak discharges greater than those of March 1938, the highest previously known.</p><p>Eleven deaths were attributed to the storm and the resulting floods, and preliminary estimates indicate damage in excess of $11 million in the foothill and valley areas. Flood-control, water-conservation, and power-production reservoirs effected a substantial reduction in the magnitude of the floods in many areas and thus prevented more extensive damage.</p> application/pdf 10.3133/ofr6661 en U.S. Geological Survey Floods of November and December 1965 in southern California reports