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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I other obstructions, thus creating a damming effect and overbank flow. As flows increase, masses of debris may break loose and cause a wall of water and debris to surge downstream until another obstruction is encoun- tered. In some instances, debris may collect to the point where struc- tural capability is exceeded and a bridge is destroyed or abutments, approaches and roadbeds are eroded or otherwise damaged. HISTORY OF FLOODING Information from several sources and limited records indicate that significant flooding on Lefthand Creek occurred in 1864, 1876, 1894, 1896, 1997, 1918, 1921, 1983, 1949, 1951, 1963, 1969 and 1973 (Reference 5). Damage from flooding along James Creek and Little James Creek has occurred in 1894, 1913, 1955, 1965 and 1969 (Reference 5). The following are descriptions of some of those floods. June 1894 - Heavy rains combined with high spring runoff caused extensive flooding throughout Boulder County. Damage was extensive along Lefthand Creek. All bridges were washed out and roads obliterated. Boarding houses in Ward were washed away and damage to nearby mines was extensive. Rowena was all but washed away. Many residences and busi- nesses were lost. The creek was reported to be 250 feet wide in some locations. In Glendale, hardly a building was left undamaged. Trees were uprooted, roads and railroads were destroyed, and nearby, ten fami- lies lost houses. Towns along James Creek suffered heavy damages as well. Every building on the north side of the creek was affected by the floodwaters. Ten houses were swept away, the only church was destroyed and local busi- nesses suffered great damages. After the flood, the bed of James Creek stretched from canyon wall to canyon wall. Most houses in Springda1e were washed into James Creek and substantial portions of the Seltzer House Hotel were lost. 5