STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — The Yampa River was flowing at more than three times the median volume for April 14, but a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Grand Junction confirmed the rushing river was rising due to rapid, low-level snowmelt, and the peak of spring runoff is likely still well in the future.
The Yampa was flowing at 1,650 cubic feet per second at mid-afternoon Thursday after dropping from its daily peak of 1,790 cfs, recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey just after midnight. Those flows compare to the median flow for April 14 of 470 cfs.
A spot survey of Soda and Butcherknife creeks Thursday morning showed Soda Creek flowing vigorously, but well below flood stage, while the smaller Butcherknife was flowing near its banks in places on the eastern end of Missouri and Spruce streets. The city had placed a low row of sandbags at one bend in the creek to deter the stream from flowing into the park.
The city of Steamboat Springs suggests that people who live in a frequently flooded area keep sandbags, plywood and plastic sheeting on hand. The city’s street department will deliver sand and sandbags to residential properties on a case-by-case basis. For more information on this service, call 870-879-1807.
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