Flood — Delta, Colorado

2023-05-20 · near Paonia, Delta, Colorado

Event narrative

Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on the North Fork of the Gunnison River near Paonia, Colorado. This led to a power pole that was near the river to be washed out, resulting in a power outage for almost 700 people between Paonia and Hotchkiss.

Wider weather episode

Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures and precipitation produced high and fast flow on drainages in Delta and Garfield counties. As a result, flooding compromised various low-lying recreational trails.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (38.8741, -107.5983)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1092217. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.