The Big Thompson Flood: Colorado's Worst Natural Disaster
Two separate crests occurred, for the North Fork deluge traveled further, down through the community of Glen Haven, reaching the main stem at Drake about 40 minutes after the first crest roared through. At the peak of the flood, water raged through the Narrows at 31,200 cubic feet/second, four times the previous flood record.
The storm abated about 2 a.m., though rain continued on into the next day. When a soggy daylight came, the devastation was heartbreaking. In many areas, the highway was gone, Most of the water had raged through, leaving a layer of silt deep enough to completely bury cars and other debris and people. Search and rescue began immediately. In the end, the toll was high: 144 dead, more than 500 injured, 252 homes and 16 businesses totally destroyed, 182 homes and 26 businesses damaged. The eventual cost was estimated at more than $41 million dollars.
Stories of the survivors are dramatic and intense. For these, I have relied on Reflection on the River: The Big Thompson Flood, compiled by Sharlynn Wamsley. It is a collection of stories and pictures written by survivors and relatives and friends of victims. It was published locally by Drake Club Press, P.O. Box 45, Drake, CO, 80515 in 2001 and doesn't appear to be available through any large distributors.
If you are thinking by now that you wouldn't want to spend any time in the Big Thompson Canyon, let me reassure you. When the new road was built, it was raised above the river so that it is improved and much safer. With the weather report improvements I mentioned before, you can safely travel the canyon, fish in the lovely little river that flows through it, and maybe even listen to the beautiful song of a dipper as it flies up and down through the Narrows. Here is a photo I took there just last week. You can barely see a fisherman in the water on the left side of the river.
Latest Articles