Flood — Mesa, Colorado

2023-05-06 · near Gateway, Mesa, Colorado

Event narrative

West Creek in Mesa County ran high and fast as a result of accelerated snowmelt resulting in the creek with flooding observed by local law enforcement. West Creek drains south into the Dolores River. A 94-year old man drowned after accidentally backing his ATV into West Creek and was swept downstream.

Wider weather episode

Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on drainages in Mesa County that stemmed from the Dolores River. One such area was West Creek near Gateway, where an individual drowned after accidentally backing their ATV into the fast-flowing, flooded creek.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (38.6780, -108.9740)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1086404. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.