Because of the buildup of ice along Clear Creek and the potential an ice dam could form and break, the city of Golden this morning closed portions of the pedestrian path along the stream.
City officials said that bitterly cold temperatures have created a significant amount of ice on the creek, and there are concerns that an ice dam may be forming upstream.
“Warm weather over the next few days could cause the ice dam to break apart, releasing a tremendous amount of ice and water down stream,” said Jonathan Ashford, spokesman for the city. “Two years ago, similar weather conditions caused an ice dam, which covered the path with large chunks of ice and slush when it broke during thawing.”
Ashford said that water levels along the creek have already risen. People who are in the vicinity of the creek in the coming days are asked to be aware of their surroundings and watch for changing water conditions.
“Ice dam break-ups happen very suddenly, and it can take less than a minute for areas to be inundated with ice, slush and dangerously cold water,” Ashford said.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
