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John Mac
Trad climber
Littleton, CO
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Sep 13, 2013 - 10:10am PT
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14 inches of rain in the eldo rain gauge!
Still raining in Denver this morning.
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Sep 13, 2013 - 10:10am PT
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This is what happened in Southern Alberta this June. Many low lying areas in Calgary were totally flooded, the entire downtown was shut down for 5 or 6 days, much of the town of High River got wiped out, major flooding in Canmore, Exshaw, etc. The landscape in many mountain areas was dramatically changed, especially one of our best climbing areas Ghost River. The once in 500 year floods may in fact occur once every 50 or 100 years.
Do not build on a floodplain or alluvial fan (ie. Cougar Creek in Canmore). Town and city councils will have to re think their pro development attitudes.
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mechrist
Gym climber
South of Heaven
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Sep 13, 2013 - 10:57am PT
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I mapped 8 debris flows caused by a big rain back in 2002. Each was well over 100,000 cubic meters. The area had been deemed unsafe for building for decades, but someone paid someone to say it was okay for the first someone's brother-in-law to build there. One debris flow took out 4 new homes... the other 100 homes were built AFTER the debris flows.
Stoopid people.
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Sep 13, 2013 - 11:49am PT
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I was in Estes during the storm that causes the Big Thompson Flood, about 40 years ago.
My recollection is that the Big Thompson flood was a much more concentrated event, tied to that one specific downpour that you saw near the Mummy Range. This week's Colorado flooding on the other hand has been widespread and prolonged. It's still raining right now.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Sep 13, 2013 - 11:57am PT
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That is correct. I was in the next canyon south in '76 when Big Thompson flooded.
It was a localized heavy downpour that moved down canyon at the same speed as the water it dumped so it quickly built itself up into a huge wall of water and debris.
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Chiloe
Trad climber
Lee, NH
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Sep 13, 2013 - 11:57am PT
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Any first-hand reports from Eldo or South Boulder Creek? News said residents urged to evacuate.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Sep 13, 2013 - 12:26pm PT
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they were expecting a 30' wall of water to dump into boulder creek last night. we got lucky and the rain pretty much stopped around 10PM. It's been lightly raining on and off but nothing heavy. there might be a little more heavy rain in the afternoon but by the evening it will begin to dry out.
the wall of water flattened to 7' once it hit boulder canyon.
bottom line though is it's a mess out there. Had it kept raining some folks who avoided getting hit would have.
http://www.dailycamera.com/boulder-county-news/ci_24083302/30-foot-surge-water-carrying-cars-other-debris
Even through all of this the Boulder Cruiser Ride happened. Granted there were only three of us :). at one point we rode through a few blocks of 4"-8" water. In spots it reached a foot and a half deep. Good times!
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Euroford
Trad climber
Louisville, CO
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Sep 13, 2013 - 12:59pm PT
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its been pretty crazy over here. growing up in michigan, i've seen and lived through more water than this on several occasions, but clearly its a different ballgame here in boulderland. I'm glad we are up in Louisville, we are a long long way from experiencing actual flood waters.
We did have to bail the sump pump out. it was plumbed through a garden hose and couldn't even come close to keeping up. we pulled off some good redneck engineering to buy some time, i bailed to lowes and snagged another pump while you still could, and now we have a main pump, and a backup pump, both discharging through 1.25" pipe. so, we are good to go. if anybody needs a dry spot to eat, sleep, whatever, let me know. amber and i have a ton of room and are more than happy to help.
last night we decided to go head out on a tour and check out the lower lands of boulder. holy crap.... amber and son shot some good footage, but lets just say its bad.
we were driving a 1999 Ford F350 diesel 4x4 with 35" tires and about 30" of clearance under the doors and we pushed water over the hood a couple of times navigating through south boulder neighborhoods. portions of south boulder road, baselines and araphoe were closed so we had to do some creative navigation. we had no problems and had a nice drive, but we won't be heading back unless somebody needs an escape. a normal car would have been completely fubar. in a couple of spots, cops were 'screening' cars and turning some back while letting trucks and other high clearance vehicles through.
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TravisMcGee
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
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Sep 13, 2013 - 12:59pm PT
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My former home, Jamestown, has been completely cut off. Had communication with them until last night; now, nothing. It would appear one of my best friends is one of the fatalities as his house was destroyed by mudslide. I am devastated and feel helpless so far removed. I hope everyone else remains safe. What a freakin nightmare. Hoping helicopter support can get in there today.
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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Sep 13, 2013 - 01:18pm PT
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Oh no.. So sorry to hear that.. what a mess. Terrible.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Sep 13, 2013 - 01:34pm PT
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Where are those giant Russian hovercraft when you need them?
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HighTraverse
Trad climber
Bay Area
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Sep 13, 2013 - 01:36pm PT
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Travis
So sorry to hear about your friend. I do hope your info is wrong.
Guess I won't make my snarky post about god and floods.
Take care out there. Sometimes I think floods are worse than fires. There's really not much defense. If it's coming your way all you can do is scram…..and really fast!
Go for high ground. You'll never out run it down hill or on the flat.
Looks as if all of the Rockies are getting hammered today.
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Bob D'A
Trad climber
Taos, NM
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Sep 13, 2013 - 02:03pm PT
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Some from today...pretty crazy...no climbing in Boulder or Eldorado Canyons for a few days.
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Toker Villain
Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
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Sep 13, 2013 - 02:14pm PT
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People need to remember that vehicles can quickly become the worst type of boat, namely; one that cannot be controlled and quickly becomes a deathtrap.
And sometimes debris can be worse than the water.
I guess that every so often Mother Nature needs to remind us of just who is in charge.
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slabbo
Trad climber
fort garland, colo
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Sep 13, 2013 - 02:33pm PT
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Down south here in the San luis valley we had almost 4" last night..not that bad until you consider the yearly average is about 6" in a good year.
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Sep 13, 2013 - 04:07pm PT
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Bike path turned kayak course.
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goatboy smellz
climber
Nederland-GulfBreeze
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Sep 13, 2013 - 05:20pm PT
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Nederland has a shelter set up at the community center for those around the Peak to Peak district.
Hey at least we don't have to worry about fires for the rest of the year.
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Edge
Trad climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Sep 13, 2013 - 05:24pm PT
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We lost power last night around 11, but fortunately had stockpiled about 7 gallons of drinking water and have a gas stove for coffee and cooking. We walked 200 yards down our road to see the first obstacle, this washout.
While this one is still passable, we can't get off either end of Lee Hill Road, so no trips into town to resupply. I still have no idea if there would even be anyplace open to stock up, or if the shelves would be bare anyway. Word is that it could be 3-4 days before we can descend to civilization.
I had just finished emptying the garden hoses into a bucket to use for flushing the toilet when the power came back on (3:10 PM). We're filling up buckets now, showering, and cleaning dishes in case we lose it again.
Red Cross helicopters keep passing just over the treetops, presumably to Ward or Jamestown. I've only heard rumors, but both were devastated. I feel lucky to be 900' above the city, where we are just isolated and inconvenienced; wish I could do something to help others, but that time will come. Stay strong, Colorado.
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