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<br />Flood Characteristics
<br />
<br />H1STORY OF FLooOING
<br />
<br />Flood events on the Mancos Ri~er and Chicken Creek are generally the result
<br />of spring snowmelt coupled with thunderstorms that generally occur in May~June.
<br />Antecedent ground moisture conditions also contribute to the flOOd character-
<br />istics, ",ith higr, ground moisture conditions in the spring, coupled with ",arm
<br />days and spring sho"'ers, giving rise to hi9h flood potential. Heavy thunder-
<br />storms through the surrroer and fall months can give rise to flash flo ods,
<br />typical of past flood events.
<br />
<br />Historical inforrr,ation on flooding on the Mancos River, in and around the Town
<br />of Mitncos, is available primarily from ne"'spaper sources. Records from an
<br />early stream gaging station located two miles east of town are available ffom
<br />the Office of the State Engineerfora few years back to 1921. Currently,
<br />gaging stationsar'e located above the town on ther-Iancos Rive rand the West,
<br />Middle and East Ilklncos Ri~ers.
<br />
<br />Although a continuous gage record for the river at Mancos does not exist,
<br />
<br />newspaper records ~nd Jrca strc~m 9Jgc records indicate that high water and
<br />n~jor flood events ha~e occurred since the area was first settled in 1876,
<br />and particularly in 1909, 1911,1932, 1937,1938, 1941,1944,1949,1957, 1973
<br />and 1979.
<br />
<br />The follow; ng accounts of flood; n9 on the )'lancos Ri ~er and Chicken Creek at
<br />MJncos ha~e been recorded and reported:
<br />
<br />September 10, 1909 (~~ncos Times Tribune)
<br />
<br />"~,,,ver in the r,i story of th i s pJrt cf t~~ sta te has the County
<br />"_~"~g~_~ ."~~ _ _~~"^,~~,, ~~~~.~~_~~. ~~ ..~~ ~'^_~~.< Tnn
<br />y,,~~, ~,,~ ~y..."" ~....,""~". ~...",~..._"~,,.., ...~ ~,...,~...-,. ....
<br />continuous rains and recurring floods have wrought disaster to
<br />every branch of industry...
<br />.. .Mancos River about one foot higher than a~erage spring flood...
<br />
<br />...Supports ",ere was~ed out under the Post Office and ",ater ran
<br />into tne basement of the Mancos Mercantile Comoany..."
<br />
<br />October 5, 1911 (Floods in Co 1 orado, and ~la ncos Times Tribune)
<br />"Theragin9torrentbroughtdo",nquantitiesofdriftwood,trees,
<br />logs and everything in its course that ",as loose. This collected
<br />at various po; nts. causing the ri~er to change its channel in
<br />rnany places with consequent damage. In town (Mancos] it cut in
<br />above the present post office building, seriously threatening
<br />its safety, anrl it took a,,'ay a partofa",arenouse."
<br />
<br />-ll~
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<br />~12~
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