Flooding

CO 133 Culvert Repair Project Website

To get the latest updates on the Highway 133 project, please visit the CDOT project website. Questions should be directed to the Project information hotline at 970-279-3309 or emailed to the repair project. 

Resources for Agriculture Producers/Businesses experiencing Financial Losses due to the Hwy 133 Closure:

Contact the local representatives at the Farm Services Agency to walk you through programs offered to help in a time of disaster!  You should also reach out to the Local CSU Extension Office (970-874-2195) to see what resources they have. 

Flooding and Swift-Water Safety Tips

North Fork of the Gunnison River rapids outside HotchkissThe North Fork of the Gunnison, Gunnison and Uncompahgre Rivers are all running extremely high and fast this year.  Sheriff Taylor and local fire Chiefs encourage residents to avoid recreational activities on or near the rivers this spring due to soft banks, fast moving water, high water levels and large amount of debris in the rivers and streams.

If you witness someone fall out of a kayak, raft or other watercraft into the river or someone on the bank fall into a river or stream, call 9-1-1 immediately.  Do not attempt to jump in and rescue them. Local fire departments are trained in swift-water rescues and have specialized equipment to help rescue people from the river. If you fall into the river, swim to the nearest shore and if assistance is needed call 9-1-1.  When calling emergency dispatch, be prepared to give a detailed location of where the person(s) went into the river or where you are and any landmarks, features that can help dispatch direct emergency responders to the scene.  

Stay Informed on Current Weather Conditions 

  • Monitor local weather forecasts. During spring runoff, stream flows are highest during extended periods of warm weather and during rain storms which can rapidly melt snow pack.  
  • Be aware that peak stream flows may occur during evening hours after snow melt reaches lower elevations and may not occur during daylight hours

Stay safe near Waterways

  • Keep children and pets away from fast-moving streams, rivers, culverts, irrigation ditches and other water sources.  Ditch and river banks are saturated this time of year and pets or children could fall into the fast moving water and be swept away or under the current and get caught on debris in the water. 
  • Do not attempt to swim in or cross fast moving creeks and rivers during runoff time. Just six inches of water can knock an adult off their feet. 
  • Be especially careful around streams and rivers at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers in the dark. 
  • Do not camp or park vehicles in the low areas along streams, rivers and washes during runoff.  Water could suddenly rise,  especially overnight and trap you or make it so you are unable to get out of the location you parked in. 
  • As temperatures rise, so do the flows on tributaries which feed local rivers in Delta County. Property owners along rivers should prepare for increased flows and  potential for riverine flooding. Residents living along major creeks such as Surface Creek, Ward Creek, Tongue Creek, Currant Creek, Hubbard Creek, Leroux Creek, Terror Creek, Milk Creek and others should also be prepared for localized flooding as these creeks swell and have the potential to overflow their banks over the next few weeks.  
  • Residents living near creeks and rivers should be aware that peak flows may occur during late evening to early morning hours between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am when the melt from high mountain elevations finally reaches lower elevations. 

Stay safe while driving

  • Never drive through high water. Just two feet of moving water is enough to carry away most vehicles! 
  • Obey barricades and road closures. They were put there for your safety! 
  • If your vehicle stalls while driving through rapidly rising or moving water, abandon it and climb to higher ground and call 9-1-1 for help. 
  • Never attempt to drive over a flooded roadway.  The road base or culvert may have washed out and not be visible and cause you to drive into the waterway. 

Preparedness

Delta County staff and leadership working with local municipalities and state partners to prepare for anticipated spring flooding in Delta County.  Residents are urged to take action now to mitigate against flooding on private property. Delta County and the entire Western Slope have seen record-breaking snow this winter, and while the snow is a welcome relief after years of intense drought, now is the time for residents to start preparing to mitigate the risk of rising flood waters along creeks, streams, and rivers once the snow begins to melt in the beginning in late April through June. 

Steps to take to prepare for Flooding BEFORE it happens:

  • Be informed - sign up for flood safety alerts.  Subscribe to news updates and social media alerts from the National Weather Service, Stream Flow Alerts from the USGS, and for Emergency Alerts from Delta County and local municipalities via Delta County Emergency Alerts.
  • Consider Flood Insurance - One inch of water can cause over $25,000 in damages. Now is the time to look into flood insurance - it takes 30 days to take effect! Learn more about Flood Insurance and ways to be prepared at FloodSmart.gov.
  • Make a Plan and Build a Kit - Develop a family safety plan - do your kids know how to get to high ground if flooding occurs? Are there roads near your home that could flood and trap you? Do you have extra medicine, food, water, and supplies if you have to stay at home? If you must evacuate - how will you protect your pets and livestock or evacuate them?  Prepare a flood emergency kit by gathering necessary items like a first aid kit, non-perishable food to last several days, medications, copies of essential documents, etc.  Learn more at Ready.gov.
  • Know if your home is in a flood plain! Know the status of your property - check the online flood hazard map
  • Harden your property with sandbags or building berms to divert water from structures.  .

Delta County FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping

Stream Gauges - U.S. Geological Service (USGS)

National Weather Service 

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service 

Snow Water Equivalent charts are linked below but also visual charts are embedded below. 

Colorado Division of Natural Resources

FEMA - National Flood Insurance Program