Flood — Montrose, Colorado

2023-05-18 · near Nucla, Montrose, Colorado

Event narrative

Snowmelt produced a washout on National Forest System Road (NFSR) #525-Potter Basin road located at mile post 1.172 on the Ouray Ranger District, northeast of 25 Mesa Guard Station. The road was not passable and remained closed.

Wider weather episode

Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on drainages in several counties across the Western Slope. As a result, flooding compromised various low-lying roads and areas. This included some lanes along I-70 west of Fruita, Colorado.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (38.4800, -108.3620)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1088060. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.