Flood in Routt County, Colorado

Rapid snow melt from a record snow pack over the Northern Colorado mountains allowed many waterways across Routt County to experience increased flows through the entire month of June. Areal flood advisories and warnings were in place to cover numerous small creeks and rivers that met or exceeded bankfull conditions. Flood advisories and warnings were also issued for site specific portions of the Elk River through the the month with the highest flows during the first half of the month and a second peak during the last few days of the month which continued into July. Preliminary data form the USGS shows historical volume and peak flow records were surpassed on this river near Milner. Significant low land flooding was reported across Routt County with some businesses and residences requiring sand bags to keep out flood waters. In rural areas, equipment and animals had to be evacuated by the encroaching water. Many local roads were also impacted with 6 to 12 inches of water being reported over the roadways.

Snow melt from a record snowpack across the northern Colorado mountains caused extended high flows and river flooding along Routt County waterways.