A flood warning was issued in western Colorado for the first time this runoff season, as several streams and rivers breached their banks, according to the National Weather Service.
Flooding appears imminent in parts of Routt, Moffat and Lake counties, forecasters said.
“Significant rises and flooding” were reported today along the Elk river near Routt County Road 42, the confluence of the Elk and Yampa rivers near Milner, including flooding near U.S. Highway 40.
The flooding includes several neighborhoods near the river, the National Weather Service reported, with water at the foundations of homes above and below U.S. 40 this afternoon.
At 2:30 p.m. today the Elk River reached 7.6 feet, surpassing the 7.5-foot flood stage. During last year’s runoff, the river crested at 7.9 feet.
The flood warning for the Elk River is in effect until Friday.
Other areas that could flood include the Yampa River near Craig, Deerlodge Park, Oak Creek, Maybell and Elkhead Creek near Hayden, and other areas close to the Yampa River, forecasters said.
The Arkansas River near Leadville is under a flooding warning until further notice, as the Lake County waterway met its 7-foot flood stage this afternoon.
The river is expected to rise to 7.6 feet by Saturday morning, causing “considerable lowland flooding occurs, possibly affecting travel and entering campsites.”
Flood advisories remain in effect for others parts of western Colorado until Wednesday, though forecasters say this year’s massive snowpack could swell rivers into next month.
Numerous areas under the advisory could flood. In Larimer County minor flooding is expected along the Laramie, Cache La Poudre and Big Thompson rivers.
Estes Park is under the threat of flooding by early Tuesday as the snowmelt engorges the Big Thompson, the National Weather Service said.
High water from the Cache La Poudre is expected to close some streets in Fort Collins and Greeley this week, according to the advisory.
Flood conditions from the high country melt haven’t yet affected metro area waterways.
Clear Creek at Golden, Cherry Creek in Denver and the South Platte at Commerce City were flowing normally today,
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
