Flood — Routt, Colorado

2024-05-14 to 2024-05-31 · near (sbs)steamboat Spgs, Routt, Colorado

Event narrative

Social media reports began in late April of nuisance flooding along the Yampa Core Trail, and by the end of the month of May the Grand Junction Service hydrologist visited the area and was able to confirm the flooding was ongoing. River levels increased above the roughly 3.5 foot threshold for this trail flooding on the 14th, and remained above this through the end of the month. Peak river height of roughly 5.25 feet occurred on the 21st before gradually decreasing. A secondary, smaller peak of 4.75 feet occurred on the 29th, likely enhanced by precipitation in the area.

Wider weather episode

As snow began to melt at an increased pace late in the month of May, river levels once again increased across portions of northwest Colorado. In particular, in Steamboat Springs once water levels rise above roughly 3.5 feet, portions of the Yampa River Core Trail begin to flood.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (40.4975, -106.8564)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1181629. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.