Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Baca County <br /> <br />The August 5 through 6 event depicted in Figure 4.1-2 produced a maximum <br />isohyet of 3.5 inches. Assuming this storm duration was approximately 24 <br />hours, this event corresponds to the 5-year, 24-hour rainfall in eastern Baca <br />County (NOAA 1973). <br /> <br />4.1.5 Hydrology and Hydraulic Findings <br /> <br />No information was available to adequately describe the hydrologic or <br />hydraulic characteristics associated with the July or August 1997 storm <br />events in Baca County. A hydrograph was not developed for Baca County. <br /> <br />In general, however, Carrizo, Two Butte, and Bear Creek watersheds <br />experienced flooding conditions along several reaches. Most information <br />concerning the flooding extent in Baca County centers around areas where <br />county roads and bridges traverse the channel. <br /> <br />In southwest Baca County, Carrizo Creek flowed out of its banks for <br />approximately 36 to 48 hours (Stevenson 1998). During this time, the peak <br />flow produced a water depth of approximately 15 to 20 feet in the channel. <br />Along Cottonwood Canyon, a tributary of Carrizo Creek, an old cottonwood <br />tree positioned approximately 12 feet above the channel bottom was washed <br />away during the August storms. In addition, an 8-foot-square boulder <br />located approximately 4 feet above the channel bottom washed away <br />because of flood flows and shifting soils. <br /> <br />Water depths similar to those in Carrizo Creek were reported in the Two <br />Butte watershed' by the Baca County Road and Bridge Department. This <br />watershed includes northern and central parts of the county. For example, <br />water was running along Bear Creek north of Bartlett just underneath the <br />county bridge, which is 15 feet above the creek bed. Two Butte Creek also <br />experienced similar flooding conditions near Highway 287 and upstream. <br /> <br />4.1.6 Specific Flooded or Inundated Areas <br /> <br />The NWS Pueblo office reported flash flooding on county roads north of <br />Springfield from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on August 5. In addition, newspaper <br />photograph captions indicate that water had to be removed from Highway <br />287 a few miles north of Springfield on the morning of August 6 (Plainsman <br />Herald 1997) (Figure 4.1-3). The same newspaper edition included a <br />photograph of water overflowing Highway 287 at Two Butte Creek, <br />approximately 18 miles north of Springfield (Plainsman Herald 1997). The <br />newspaper suggests this flooding was caused by the rains that occurred on <br />the evenings of August 9, 10, and 11. <br /> <br />The FEMA damage survey reports summarized the locations of the road and <br />bridge damage that occurred on county roads during this period of flooding. <br />Figures 4.1-4 and 4.1-5 show damage to County Road C near Carrizo Creek, <br /> <br />d479/chap4-1.dOC 08/12/98 <br /> <br />4.1-8 <br />