FLOOD04846 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I May 1955: During the period of May 17-20, heavy precipitation occurred over the lower mountains and plains of eastern Colorado, northeastern New Mexico and western Kansas. Precipitation over the mountainous areas was principally in the form of wet snow. The storm began on the afternoon of May 17 over the entire area and continued through the 19th in New Mexico and Kansas. At Lake Moloya, near Raton, New Mexico, 13.59 inches occurred in 48 hours, with 11.28 inches measured during the 24-hour period ending at 4 p.m, on the 19th. Major flooding occurred in the Arkansas River watershed from Pueblo to John Martin Reservoir, The Arkansas River at Pueblo peaked at 11,100 cubic feet per second and produced very little flooding. As the flood progressed downstream, the peak increased to 50,000 cubic feet per second at La Junta and caused major flood damage to North La Junta. There were 236 residents, five businesses, one school, and one church in the flooded area of North La Junta. Streets and public utilities were heavily damaged as well as individual water supply and sewage disposal systems, A low levee to protect against minor overflows on the Arkansas River was lost and two bridges were damaged. National Guard assisted in the evacuation of 500 to 1,000 people in North La Junta. About 300 residences were flooded in La Junta, eight to 10 blocks on the south side of town flooded. Damages were estimated at $400,000. A county bridge west of town washed out. The Arkansas River crest at La Junta was 14.2 feet (about 54,000 cubic feet per second) at 1:30 p.m on May 20, May 1969: Flood flows from Anderson Arroyo damaged about 35 residences and businesses in . La Junta. This flood also damaged a sanitary sewer line, city streets, farmsteads, croplands and fences. A few head of livestock were lost and some hay was damaged or washed away. The total estimated damages for this flood amounted to $144,000. Some minor damage OCCUlTed to the Otero Canal. This canal crosses Anderson Arroyo about five miles upstream from the mouth. Similar types of damage were experienced in 1965 and 1972, except to a lesser degree. After several decades of work and dollar investments to address flood problems in La Junta and Otero County, the immediate threat to human life has been minimized. Other flood losses <public and private property damage, injuries, disruption and disaster relief) continue to rise, and the natural resources provided by floodplains are still being degraded. These two phenomena are due to channel problems in the Arkansas River itself; particularly possible channel aggradation currently under study by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque District, Also, there is increasing pressure by developers to construct residences and businesses in the floodplain. 13