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<br />.. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Louisville and Lafayette <br /> <br />Although information about the flood's effects in Louisville and Lafayette <br />on Coal Creek is scant in the surviving issues of area newspapers, it is <br />likely that these communities were also affected by the flood. The <br />information concerning the loss of roads and railroads near Lafayette <br />and Louisville would indicate damage there.l08 In addition, the depth <br />of water at Erie may lead to further suppositions about the effect of the <br />1894 storm on the Louisville/Lafayette area.109 <br /> <br />Erie <br /> <br />The town of Erie lies downstream from Louisville and Lafayette on Coal <br />Creek. That area reported floodwater depths of three to four feet in <br />the community proper. J. O. V. Wise, the superintendent of the Lower <br />Boulder Ditch Company, reported breaks in the ditch. The Erie <br />I ndependent carried a story that stated roads and bridges were out as <br />well. 11 0 <br /> <br />THE EFFECTS OF THE FLOOD IN THE ROCK CREEK BASIN <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />No data were uncovered for effects of the 1894 flood in the Rock Creek <br />Basin, however, heavy regional flooding suggests the area was impacted <br />as well. <br /> <br />THE EFFECTS OF THE FLOOD O~J THE COUNTY'S FARMING <br /> <br />County-wide farm losses were extensive. Along nearly every creek <br />where the farmers had carefully sown their crops, the floodwaters piled <br />the land high with sand and other debris.lll Some plots were literally <br />washed downstream and farmers were busy after the flood recounting <br />their acres before paying taxes to the Boulder County Assessor. 112 <br />Although the initial estimates of crop loss and damage were later <br />decreased, the overall losses may have been slightly higher than <br />forecast because r1any farmers began to suffet- fror.1 shortages of <br />irrigation water after the flood due to ditch damage.113 For example, <br />water was not turned on in Beasley ditch in Boulder until six weeks <br />after the flood occurred. 114 <br /> <br />THE EFFECTS OF THE FLOOD or, THE COUNTY'S TRANSPORTATION <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Road damage was one of the most serious consequences of the flood. <br />Economically, 189Q was a difficult period. The booms of the past <br />decade seemed distant to people who were dependent on national and <br />world market trends that forced prices for silver and crops lower. The <br />Panic of 1893 had slowed the economy and had affected the more <br />affluent merchants in the City of Boulder as well as the mining camps <br />and farming towns. 115 The loss of nearly every road in the County <br />effectively cut off trade between the mountains, the foothills and the <br />plains.116 Farr1ers walked into Boulder and Longmont from r.1arshall <br />