Colorado: Record runoff possible in Blue River Basin

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Denver Water warns of possible high flows in Lower Blue

Record snowpack and warming temps could combine to lead to flooding downstream of Dillon Reservoir. PHOTO BY DYLAN BERWYN.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The latest snowpack measurements and weather forecasts have prompted Denver Water to warn residents of the Lower Blue Valley, below Dillon Reservoir, to be prepared for flooding flows in the Blue River.

Combined inflows into the reservoir from the Upper Blue, the Snake River, Tenmile Creek and various smaller tributaries are forecast to peak in the range of 2,800 to 4,100 cubic feet per second. the average this time of year is about 1,700 cfs, and the record peak, set in 1995, is 3,408 cfs.

Denver Water tries to operate the reservoir so the peak outflow does not exceed 1,800 cfs, which is approximately the “bank-full” condition for the Blue River downstream of the dam. Because of this year’s exceptionally high snowpack and the uncertainty of the amount, timing and rate of the melt, it may not be possible to keep the peak outflow below 1,800 cfs, Denver Water said in an advisory bulletin issued June 3. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Dillon Reservoir, Environment, flooding, La Niña, rivers, seasons, Snow and weather, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, Summit County snow and weather, water | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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