Flood advisories for the Animas, La Plata and Los Pinos rivers are in effect until further notice, according to the National Weather Service.
Minor lowland flooding and flooding along the Animas River Trail and other river trails is possible as snowmelt flows from the mountains, according to the NWS.
Flows in the Animas River have been steadily rising since June 5 and peaked above 7,000 cubic feet per second Sunday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
At the same time, daily highs are expected to rise through the week into the mid-80s, according to the NWS.
The Animas River usually hits a peak flow of about 4,700 cfs in early June at the height of spring runoff. The Animas River is considered to be flooding at 10,500 cfs.
A flood advisory for the Los Pinos River was issued Monday morning. The river had reached 1,560 cfs Monday afternoon up from around 140 cfs on June 6.
Visitors to the Los Pinos River are advised to avoid flooded areas and unstable river banks, according to NWS.
The La Plata River had reached 159 cfs Monday afternoon up from 50 cfs on June 6.
Late Thursday, a storm could move into the area bringing slightly lower temperatures and a chance for rain, said meteorologist Scott Stearns. But it is unlikely to lower river flows, he said.
“It’s not going to be a saving grace by any means,” he said.
Stearns couldn’t say when the flood advisory for the Animas River might be lifted.
The high flows are drawing more boaters than in previous years and more people are calling for help from first responders, said Nick Knowlton, a firefighter and instructor with Durango Fire Protection District’s swiftwater rescue team.
The force of the water is causing some problems for boaters, he said.
“The water can overtake you and cause your craft to get stuck on an island or get stuck on debris,” he said.
The cold temperature of the water can also present a danger, he said.
“We are seeing environmental emergencies more than injury,” he said.
High waters are bringing down large amounts of debris, including large trees that can injure boaters, he said.
Existing log jams are getting worse and risk from debris is likely to persist throughout the summer, he said.
Durango Fire is not advising boaters against floating the river at any volume, but it does advise boaters to wear helmets, life jackets and other protective gear.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
Reader Comments