Multi-Jurisdictional Mud and Flood Team Watching Water Levels and
Ready to Respond to Emergencies
Emergency officials are on high alert for potential flooding in low lying areas this week and are advising the public to be prepared. A multi-jurisdictional flood readiness team, under the auspices of the Pitkin County Public Safety Council, is working to monitor river levels and alert the public should flooding be imminent.
Twin Lakes Reservoir is expected to reach full capacity by Wednesday when water diversions from this side of the Continental Divide to Twin Lakes will be temporarily halted. Upwards of 500 CFS will reach the Roaring Fork River Wednesday adding to its already peak runoff flow. The Roaring Fork is expected to be running upwards of 1,000 CFS later this week. The river peaked at approximately 1,440 last summer.
“ Exercise your best judgement in or around the river, unless you are very proficient you should not be in it” said Scott Thompson, Chairman of the Pitkin County Public Safety Council .
Area weather is predicted to be warm and sunny until the weekend increasing the pace of snowmelt. It is likely that portions of the North Star Nature Preserve could be underwater by week’s end.
“We are in much better communication with Grizzly and Twin Lakes this year and the advance warning of additional water being released is helping us get the word out,” said Pitkin County Emergency Manager, Valerie MacDonald. “Property owners along the river and the public should use caution”.
The flood readiness team is prepared for emergency response should it be needed. Citizens are encouraged to sign up for Pitkin Alert at www.pitkinalert.org where emergent information will be shared. Citizens can learn about what they can do to be prepared for flooding at www.pitkincounty.com/floodreadiness.
“Most locals understand the inherent risks of rapidly rising fast water and what they need to do to protect themselves and their property if they live near the river,” said MacDonald. “We’d like to remind our visitors to use caution around fast moving water and keep children and pets at a distance.”
Media Contact: Valerie MacDonald - Pitkin County Emergency Manager - 970-379-6748
Media Contact: Scott Thompson - Pitkin County Public Safety Council Chair - 970 - 618-9401