FLOOD00114 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I ~ . . . . '. . I I I I :. I I I I I I J - ... fno lives were lost in the spectalular flash flood which descended on north Golden from Tucker's Gulch early Monday morning. It was estimated to have been the most serious in the city's history. Advance warning of the oncoming wall of water, telephoned to Golden and relayed by sheriff's radio and Golden's police department, is credited with having prevented any loss of life." Flood of ,July 23-24, ;.1965 Similar to past events. heavy rainfall resulted in severe flash flooding of Tucker Gulch through Golden. It was reported that 4.5 inches fell within a one-hour period in the Tucker Gulch basin, exceeding the estimated one-hour 100-year precipitation by a factor of 1.8. In the lower reaches of Tucker Gulch the floodwaters were reported to have spread over about 17 blocks, causing an estimated $112,000 damage to :~9 residences, three commercial enterprises, three railroad bridges, four street bridges, and utility lines. Local sources recalled that major damage to streets, bridges, and utilities resulted from the high channel velocities carrying large debris and silt, blocking bridges and forcing floodwaters down streets. (References 5,7) Photographs of the 1965 flood on the following two pages provide an illustra- tive account of this major flood event. The following descriptive information was provided by Vic Seiferth, City Engineer for Golden. Photo #1. This photograph shows the structural damage sustained by the 10th Street bridge. formerly State Highway 58. Major damage resul ted from the force of a rail road trestl e striking the bridge. The same trestle passed beneath the 9th Street bridge without causing damage. Photo #2. The debris which collected south of Clear Creek resulted from Tucker Gulch overtopping its banks between 9th and 10th Streets, forcing floodwaters down Ford Street and across the bridge. The Mitchell