Have Eagle County streamflows peaked?
EAGLE COUNTY — Here’s one straight from the irony files:
As of May 24, Gore Creek in the middle of Vail was flowing a bit higher than the same date last year. Of course, there were countless tons of snow still on the hillside a year ago, prompting local officials to worry about another spring of flooding along local streams.
Last year’s streamflows peaked in mid- to late June. This year, local rivers may already have seen their high-water marks, thanks to historically low snowfall last winter.
Diane Johnson, communications manager for the Eagle River Water and Sanitation District, said people in her office have said Gore Creek through Vail seems to have peaked for the season.
The same is true farther down the Colorado River system. Eagle County Public Works Director Tom Johnson has been told the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs peaked earlier in May.
Rivers are running at a relative trickle for this time of year across Western Colorado. In fact, the U.S. Geological Survey’s streamflow map showed just one local stream — Homestake Creek — running above its normal flow for May 25.
Read more about this spring’s runoff at the Vail Daily website.
Air Academy’s Jeremy Hockmuth celebrates after scoring in the second inning to give the Kadets a 3-0 lead over Broomfield Saturday, May 26, 2012, during the 4A State baseball tournament. The Kadets won 3-2 to force a second game for the title later Saturday, which they lost 12-4. Photo by CHRISTIAN MURDOCK, THE GAZETTE
People in East Vail and other low-lying parts of the Valley have put up sandbags the past couple of years in efforts to keep floodwaters from their homes. Streamflows this year seem to have already peaked. Photo by Dominique Taylor, Vail Daily