Flood in Garfield County, Colorado

The Colorado River experienced elevated flows due to snow melt runoff from June 5th to the end of the month. Flood advisories or warnings were in effect through most of this time, with only brief periods when the river fell just below bankfull. Much of the area along the Colorado River from near the entrance to Glenwood Canyon to Rifle in Garfield County was impacted by the high flows in June. In Glenwood Canyon the water rose to within a few inches of the railroad line, inundated equipment near the river at Bair Ranch and closed the rest area along I-70 adjacent to the ranch. Portions of a recreational bike path along the river bank were under 4 to 5 feet of water and several sections were destroyed or washed downstream and cost 1.5 million dollars to repair. Low land flooding was common as the river spread hundreds of yards past the bank in several areas. Water moved into the rest area at Rifle and forced a daylong closure. During peak rises, water also inundated rail bridges leading into Rifle and flooded a Frisbee golf course in Rifle. Other flooding along the Beaver and Rifle Creek waterways caused road damage and travel inconveniences. High flows along Elk Creek caused enough bank erosion to wash away a cabin along the stream on June 13th.

A record snowpack along the Colorado River basin caused extended high river flows and flooding along the the main stem of the Colorado River and numerous smaller waterways throughout Garfield County in June.