Flood — Montezuma, Colorado

2023-04-09 to 2023-04-15 · near Dolores, Montezuma, Colorado

$50K

Property damage

Event narrative

Rapid snowmelt from the Dolores River led to various drainages breaching their banks. This resulted in flooded downtown residential buildings in the town of Dolores. The water also flooded streets, some yards, and school playgrounds. Flood waters did not recede for several days.

Wider weather episode

Above normal temperatures accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack. This resulted in high and fast flows on several rivers and drainages across Western Colorado. The increased runoff and flooding compromised several county roads and bridges across Montezuma, Archuleta, Routt, Delta, Dolores, Montrose, and Moffat counties.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (37.4668, -108.5260)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1081477. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.