Flood — Garfield, Colorado

2023-05-21 · near Glenwood Spgs, Garfield, Colorado

Event narrative

The Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon ran high and fast as a result of accelerated snowmelt. While rafting in Glenwood Canyon, two rafters fell into the river while navigating a rapid and eddy. Both men were pulled from the water and brought back to shore. The rafting party began CPR on the two individuals - one rafter responded, but the other one did not.

Wider weather episode

Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on the Colorado River. One such area was Glenwood Canyon, where an individual drowned in a rafting accident.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.5612, -107.2787)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1089406. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.