Flood — Pitkin, Colorado

2023-05-29 · near Snowmass, Pitkin, Colorado

Event narrative

The Roaring Fork River ran high and fast as a result of accelerated snowmelt. Rescuers were unable to resuscitate a person they recovered from the river near the Lazy Glen subdivision after strong, runoff-fueled currents carried the victim downstream roughly 1 1/2 to 2 miles. It did not appear the person had been in a water vessel like a boat or raft. The incident had the makings of someone falling into the river from its banks, but that wasn't a certainty. Age and gender of victim is unknown.

Wider weather episode

Accelerated snowmelt from a near-record snowpack due to above normal temperatures produced high and fast flow on the Roaring Fork River. One such area was between Wingo and Snowmass, Colorado, where an individual drowned after accidentally falling into the river.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (39.3430, -107.0034)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1092357. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.