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<br />4.1.5 CHERRY CREE~~ <br /> <br />Flood Historv. Because 01 channel improvements and construction 01 Cherry Creek <br />Dam, many 01 the llood problems that once loomed large along that stream have been <br />eliminated. Runoff from thB upper basin is completely controlled by the dam and llood <br />control releases are limitEld to the capacity 01 the downstream channel. During the evening <br />and night 01 16 June 19155, the Cherry Creek Reservoir impounded a flood which had a <br />peak inflow of 58,000 c.t.s. The flood stored in the reservoir saved an estimated $130 <br />million in Ilood damages downstream lrom the dam on the Cherry Creek and South Platte <br />River flood plains. However, there was considerable damage upstream from the dam. <br />Prior to the existencB ollhe dam, major floods occurred on Cherry Creek in 1964,1876, <br />1885,1912,1933, and 1'935. The shortest interval between majorlloods was two years, <br />with an average interval of fourteen years. The flood of 14 July 1912 resuited from a <br />violent rainstorm lasting two hours, during which rainfall of 2.08 inches was recorded. The <br />pattern 01 this storm caused a cumulative ellect on runoff which was near the maximum <br />lor a storm 01 this intensity. <br /> <br />( <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />Flood of Sorine 1844c. According to legend a major flood occurred on the South Platte <br />River during the spring 011844. An article in the 22 June 1864 Denver Commonweaith <br />indicated that Major James Bridger in relating his travel experiences told of a flood <br />"extending from the bluff on Cherry Creek to the extreme bluff on the South Platte River." <br />He indicated he was compelled to wait 9 days belore being able to cross the river and <br />continue his journey. Thl! apparent high volume associated with this event would support <br />the references to deep snow and continuous rain recorded in Major James Bridger's diary. <br /> <br />Flood of Julv 1912. In 1912, the only Weather Bureau Station in the Cherry Creek <br />basin was located in Denver. Records indicate that 2.08 inches of rain occurred between <br />Franktown and a point about 5 miles north 01 DenvBr, with the center located near Parker. <br />The rainlall started at abo.ut 3 p.m. and continued until approximately 5 p.m. Cherry Creek <br />crested at about 10 p.m. and had a peak discharge of 25,000 cubic leet per second in <br />Denver. The Cherry Cree,k Flood Commission estimated that runoff occurred Irom an area <br />01 about 200 square mile:s. Flood damages in the reach between Franktown and the site <br />of the existing Cherry Cmek Dam and 'Reservoir totaled $554,000. <br /> <br />Flood 01 Julv 1922. A severe storm centered over the Bayou Gulch basin, a tributary <br />to Cherry Creek, during ttle afternoon of 28 July 1922. Heavy rainfall was reported to have <br />occurred in an area bounded by lines 3 miles north 01 Parker, about 4 miles west 01 Cherry <br />Creek, 1 mile south of Fmnktown, and by the Douglas County line on the east. Unofficial <br />rainfall amounts varied fr(lm 1 inch to 3.5 inches, occurring in about 2 hours. An estimated <br />peak discharge it 8,700 cubic leet per second discharged out 01 Bayou Gulch. The <br />discharge on Cherry Creek, 3 miles north of Parker, was estimated to be 17,000 cubic feet <br />per second. Aithough 11(1 damages were experienced in Denver, this was considered a <br />. major flood lor the upstream part 01 the basin. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Colorado Flood <br />Hydrology Manuar <br /> <br />4.8 <br /> <br />fRIJFT <br />