The Bureau of Reclamation has altered its forecast for the Fryingpan River east of Basalt and now says it does not expect a surge of additional water flowing out of Ruedi Reservoir.
Bureau representatives told the Pitkin County Emergency Management team Thursday morning that, though the reservoir is considered full, it can still accommodate more water coming into the lake.
The bureau had previously indicated the reservoir would be at capacity Thursday at mid-morning and that flows in the lower Fryingpan would rise by roughly another 100 cubic feet per second.
Police have been checking the river throughout the morning, in anticipation of rising water and potential flooding. The county had issued an alert, warning of potential flooding in low-lying areas of Basalt and El Jebel. The Roaring Fork River below its confluence with the Fryingpan in Basalt had also been expected to surge.
Pitkin County issued a flood advisory at 2:19 p.m. Wednesday for residents in low lying areas along the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork rivers. “Releases from local reservoirs above Aspen and Basalt are increasing river runoff levels,” the advisory said. It is in effect for 48 hours. A flood preparedness hotline was activated at 970 429-1800.
Read more about the reservoir .
