Flash Flood — Delta, Colorado

1998-05-02 to 1998-05-03 · near Hotchkiss, Delta, Colorado

Wider weather episode

The Carl Smith Dam at Patterson Reservoir #3 failed, sending a wall of water down Leroux Creek. The earthen dam break was 200 feet wide and 45 feet high. The wall of water was up to 10 feet high and averaged 100 feet in width. Many bridges and irrigation structures were damaged or washed out. One house was flooded. Many farm and ranch buildings were destroyed or washed away. 92 lambs drowned.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5650192. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.