From Drought to Flood

dutch · May 23, 2005

Man, talk about turning a 180. Animas is closing in on 8,000 CFS today here in Durango. Already flooding out some fields and has threatened a few homes.
Nice to see a big runoff though.
http://www.durangoherald.com/asp-bi...e=news&article_path=/news/05/news050523_1.htm

Coach Hunt · May 23, 2005

Howdy,

The word is Questa is in a real bad way right now. Media is trying to make out like the dam is about to burst. Know anything about that???

Coach

dutch · May 23, 2005

Yeah I read that article on KOB news, the state police are warning residents and getting sand bags in place. I didnt' think that creek was that big there?

redrabbit · May 23, 2005

I just checked the USGS site for Colorado streamflow. The Animas, Dolores and San Juan are really crankin'. Are the kayakers having a blast at Smelter rapids and Santa Rita Hole, or is it flushed out at 7500 cfs?

BeanMan · May 23, 2005

The Colorado at palisade is crankin' Higher than I have seen it since the early 90's. it is getting ready to get out of it's banks soon if this 05 degree weather keeps up. Plateau Creek coming out of Colbran and Mesa is really high and out of it's banks in places.

The Kayakers are awaiting the return of the massive standing wave that forms in Debeque Canyon just above Palisade. It hasn't been seen for a few years, they call it Big Sur.

Yee Haw, let er rip,

BeanMan

dutch · May 24, 2005

I have not seen any kayakers at smelter, I don't think it is safe for them, way to dangerous. Even the rafters are getting flipped. Lots of debris (like 60 foot pine trees) floating down the river, actually more like speeding down the river.
Looks like the river in Durango could get up close to 8500 today, but it is supposed to start cooling down the rest of the week so this could be the worst of it.
Picture below is just as you start going north of Durango out in the valley.
Just keep building them million dollar homes out there!

dutch · May 24, 2005

BTW, Yesterday Navajo Lake had a total of 11,015 cfs coming into it at one point, today it is back down to around 10,000. This is runoff from the San Juan, Los Pinos and the Piedra rivers. Navajo should be at full capacity in the next few weeks, maybe 6 more weeks.

BeanMan · May 24, 2005

Colorado River flows at Palisade are 17,000cfs. At Utah border they are 24500 cfs. I'll bet Westwater Canyon is one heck of a ride now.

BeanMan

Phantom Hunter · May 25, 2005

Is this all snow-melt or have ya'll been getting some good rains as well? Anyway glad you have some moisture.

Phantom Hunter

BeanMan · May 26, 2005

Phantom,

It's just snow melt. Now if we had some rain on top of it you would see some action.

BeanMan

Phantom Hunter · May 26, 2005

I guess it would be better for the snow to melt slower to give more of the water time to soak in. Hope ya'll get some more rain this summer. Most of West Texas is finally coming out of a 7 year drought. Still a few areas suffering. Looks like Eastern New Mexico is getting some moisture, will be good for mulie and speed goat fawn survival.

Phantom Hunter