When was Estes flooded?

When was Estes flooded?

On July 31, 1976, 144 people lost their lives when torrential downpours caused the Big Thompson River to flood.

What caused the 1976 Big Thompson River flood?

1976 flood This flood was triggered by a nearly stationary thunderstorm near the upper section of the canyon that dumped 300 millimeters (12 inches) of rain in less than 4 hours (more than 3/4 of the average annual rainfall for the area).

How many people were killed in the Big Thompson Canyon flood?

During this 2013 flood, 8 people died and more than $2 billion dollars of damage occurred.

What caused the Rapid City flood of 1972?

Severe flooding of residential and commercial properties in Rapid City occurred when Canyon Lake Dam became clogged with debris and failed in the late evening hours of June 9 resulting in 238 deaths and 3,057 injuries. Over 1,335 homes and 5,000 automobiles were destroyed.

Where does the Big Thompson River start?

Rocky MountainsBig Thompson River / Source

The Big Thompson River begins in the Forest Canyon, inside the Rocky Mountains. It flows west towards Moraine Park inside Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, continuing along the path of Highway 34 all the way to Loveland. It keeps going west until it merges with the South Platte River south of Greeley.

Does Estes Park flood?

The flood entered the town of Estes Park and caused severe damage to 177 downtown businesses (75 percent of Estes Park’s commercial activity). In Estes Park the flood joined the Big Thompson River and flowed into Lake Estes on the eastern edge of the city.

What kind of fish are in the Big Thompson River?

The Fish. Check out the Big Thompson River Fish Survey and management data here. The Big T houses brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.

What happened in Keystone SD in 1972?

Flood debris clogged the Canyon Lake spillway and temporarily raised the pool to 11 to 12 feet deeper than normal. 238 people were killed; 8 of the deaths were in Keystone. 3,000 people were injured. 1,335 homes were destroyed.

What river runs through Estes?

Big Thompson River
The Big Thompson River and Fall River wind through the heart of downtown Estes Park, offering a wonderful choir of babbling brooks and beautiful sights.

What river flows through Estes?

The Big Thompson River
The Big Thompson River begins in the Forest Canyon, inside the Rocky Mountains. It flows west towards Moraine Park inside Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, continuing along the path of Highway 34 all the way to Loveland.

What happened to the rain in Estes Park?

A foot of rain fell during a few hours in a stretch of land between the tourist hub of Estes Park and the quaint mountain communities of Drake and Glen Haven. With nowhere to go, that deluge sped down the rocky hillsides. It took everything in its path. “I’m stuck. I’m right in the middle of it. I can’t get out…”

Why was the 2013 Colorado flood so deadly?

Even the 2013 disaster in the same spot paled in comparison both in body count and sheer brutality, largely because people were caught flat-footed some 40 years ago. A foot of rain fell during a few hours in a stretch of land between the tourist hub of Estes Park and the quaint mountain communities of Drake and Glen Haven.

What happened to the night the sky turned black near Estes Park?

An estimated 3,500 people were camping, fishing and relaxing in the canyon that night. A thunderstorm parked near Estes Park and turned the sky a daunting black late that afternoon. Some residents recall fishing in Loveland and looking to the west, curious about the strange storm pattern that didn’t jibe with late-summer monsoon flows.

What was the Big Thompson Flood of 1976?

Editor’s Note: On July 31, 1976, the skies opened up over the Big Thompson Canyon, setting off the deadliest natural disaster in Colorado history that claimed 144 lives and caused $35 million of damages. Read more in the Coloradoan’s series about the details of the Big Thompson Flood, the aftermath and a look back at the news coverage 40 years ago.