Valley experiences closures due to high water

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Railroad tracks have been removed from a steep bank next to the Rio Grande River just outside of Del Norte to prevent them from washing away should the water levels continue to rise.

SAN LUIS VALLEY— Like several other locations throughout the Valley and up into Creede, Del Norte experienced high-water related closures during the weekend and expects them to last for at least another week.


Annual runoff peaked on Thursday as temperatures in the Valley reached the high 70s and 80s, causing snow from the surrounding peaks to melt at an alarming rate.


Emergency personnel have been watching water levels for the past month and were prepared to respond at a moment’s notice once the Rio Grande exceeded 5,000 CSF at the monitoring station in Del Norte. “We are calling this a high-water event and not flooding at this time,” said Rio Grande County Commissioner Gene Glover.

On Saturday, June 8, the town of Del Norte decided to close the river trail in North Park from public access as water levels reached the bottom of the viewing deck and started filling the irrigation ditches along the walking path to capacity. In order to keep the public safe, the county issued a press release that officially closed the Rio Grande to all public use as of Saturday afternoon.


Upper Rio Grande Economic Development founder Marty Asplin stated that the water causing most of the concern in areas that were under water wa

s not from the river flowing at high capacity, but from water coming up from underneath the ground.
“One minute a section of dirt is dry and appears safe, then as you stand there and watch, it turns wet and becomes unstable. We are getting a crash course in the area’s hydrology right now.”


Asplin also stated that the work recently done on the new river walk project is not in any danger. “The work we have done on the boat ramp and parking area will be fine. We have no concerns at all at this time.”
The town also issued an evacuation order for the Del Norte RV Park and Campground. The water from the river breached the banks along the north side of the campground and began pooling in low lying areas. The river is expected to continue to rise over the next week and law enforcement officials urge the public to remain vigilant as well as adhere to all warnings and closure.


Another incident during the weekend occurred up near the town site of Jasper. Last year, the same road was closed due to a landslide event that happened again this year, with even more damage to the roadway.


The public is asked to report any debris build up along the river to law enforcement at 719-657-4000.