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<br />6 <br /> <br /> <br />storm patterns results in flood discharges on many tributaries <br />which converge on the main stream, thereby causing more widespread <br />destruction, prolonged inundation, and greater flood damages over <br />larger areas. Examples of the intense storms are the 1965 events <br />on Plum Creek and Bijou Creek and the 1976 event on the Big <br />Thompson River. Examples of the larger more generalized storms <br />are the 1969 and 1973 events producing flooding on the South <br />Platte River. <br /> <br />Past Floods <br />Several floods have occurred along the South Platte River in <br />Weld County. Tables 3 through 7 indicate yearly peak discharges <br />experienced at the five stream gaging stations operated in the <br />past by the U. S. Geological Survey in Weld County. <br /> <br />Flood Descriptions <br />The following flood accounts are typical of flood events <br />which have occurred along the South Platte River in and adjacent <br />to Weld County, but are, by no means, a complete history of such. <br />They are presented here to give some insight as to the source and <br />magnitude of floodwaters from the South Platte River affecting <br />Weld County. <br />1844 - Floodwaters purportedly covered the bottom lands <br />in the Denver vicinity from bluff to bluff. <br />1864 - Three separate floods caused by heavy rains over <br />snow occurred during May and June on the South Platte River. A <br />resident of Platteville later described the flood of mid-May at <br />that location as the largest flood he had observed prior to 1925. <br />Flooding occurred in late May and again in early to mid-June. <br />The South Platte River flood in Weld County was augmented down- <br />stream from Denver by tributary inflow from both the mountain and <br />plains tributaries. <br />