The spot that we have chosen to park in for the season here at Island Acres, normally does not allow us any view of the Colorado River because of the Burm that was built. But because of it’s rapid rising-we actually can see the river from where we sit.
Since the burm has been built a few years back, they have not had a flooding issue here at the park, but then the river hasn’t reached flood stage in a very long time. They are looking for us to crest at 15 feet above normal. With this burm-the river shouldn’t flood the campground-but the park rangers are a little nervous-not knowing how much this burm can actually up hold with the river rapidly rising and the rushing flow. I guess by now, the park would have been flooded at various areas like the day-use, the B-loop which is the tent area and a portion of A-loop. So we all are sitting on the edge waiting to see what will or will not happen.
You can see how close it’s getting to the Burm-this is in the Day-Use area
This is just before the B-Loop and it’s start cut inwards.
This past Sunday Brian had to go for a special meeting. I guess with the rising of the Colorado River, very few folks like to come out just up river from us and ride the roller dam down; which causes what they call a Big Surf-like a big wave in California. If they are crazy enough to try it, then they may have to be rescued. We as volunteer/worker, may need to assist park rangers where ever we will be needed. They also briefed Brian on evacuation procedure-only if that should arise….
This is not a person, but a part of a tree that is floating downriver…
Also with the rising of the Colorado River, means road closures. Yesterday they had to start diverting traffic on I-70, to lighten the traffic load over the bridge just past the town of Fruita & Loma and into Utah. Now this morning they will completely shut down east bound traffic of I-70. That part of the Interstate rides low and when the river rises to the flood stage, debris tends to get trap under the bridge, making water to come over onto the interstate and creating a very unsafe driving conditions. I feel for the truckers, for I-70 is the only Interstate east to west across CO & UT, now making the drive unto very dangerous roadways, creating truckers to get behind on their loads.
They also may need to close down the Cameo exit, which is the next exit just past us, again, because once exiting off, it drops downward. There really isn’t much off that exit other than a power plant, which isn’t in use right now, and a single ranch just down the road a ways. many folks will take that exit to get back into the canyon where the wild horses are known to hang out.
All of this is caused by 200% snow coverage in the Rockies and high elevation this past winter, and warmer temps right now,causing a fast meltdown, creating flooding not only in the Colorado River, but other small rivers and streams to go over their banks.
The good news to all of this, is that it eventually lands in Lake Mead; which may finally bring that lake back up to normal pool level for the first time in years.
This year has been a crazy year not just for us in Colorado, but for others that have had to deal with other flooding in the Midwest, deadly tornadoes, and raging out of control fires in Arizona. Let’s just hope that the rest of this summer season gets better and not worse.
Since the burm has been built a few years back, they have not had a flooding issue here at the park, but then the river hasn’t reached flood stage in a very long time. They are looking for us to crest at 15 feet above normal. With this burm-the river shouldn’t flood the campground-but the park rangers are a little nervous-not knowing how much this burm can actually up hold with the river rapidly rising and the rushing flow. I guess by now, the park would have been flooded at various areas like the day-use, the B-loop which is the tent area and a portion of A-loop. So we all are sitting on the edge waiting to see what will or will not happen.
You can see how close it’s getting to the Burm-this is in the Day-Use area
This is just before the B-Loop and it’s start cut inwards.This past Sunday Brian had to go for a special meeting. I guess with the rising of the Colorado River, very few folks like to come out just up river from us and ride the roller dam down; which causes what they call a Big Surf-like a big wave in California. If they are crazy enough to try it, then they may have to be rescued. We as volunteer/worker, may need to assist park rangers where ever we will be needed. They also briefed Brian on evacuation procedure-only if that should arise….
This is not a person, but a part of a tree that is floating downriver…Also with the rising of the Colorado River, means road closures. Yesterday they had to start diverting traffic on I-70, to lighten the traffic load over the bridge just past the town of Fruita & Loma and into Utah. Now this morning they will completely shut down east bound traffic of I-70. That part of the Interstate rides low and when the river rises to the flood stage, debris tends to get trap under the bridge, making water to come over onto the interstate and creating a very unsafe driving conditions. I feel for the truckers, for I-70 is the only Interstate east to west across CO & UT, now making the drive unto very dangerous roadways, creating truckers to get behind on their loads.
They also may need to close down the Cameo exit, which is the next exit just past us, again, because once exiting off, it drops downward. There really isn’t much off that exit other than a power plant, which isn’t in use right now, and a single ranch just down the road a ways. many folks will take that exit to get back into the canyon where the wild horses are known to hang out.
All of this is caused by 200% snow coverage in the Rockies and high elevation this past winter, and warmer temps right now,causing a fast meltdown, creating flooding not only in the Colorado River, but other small rivers and streams to go over their banks.
The good news to all of this, is that it eventually lands in Lake Mead; which may finally bring that lake back up to normal pool level for the first time in years.
This year has been a crazy year not just for us in Colorado, but for others that have had to deal with other flooding in the Midwest, deadly tornadoes, and raging out of control fires in Arizona. Let’s just hope that the rest of this summer season gets better and not worse.
No comments:
Post a Comment