July 2006 revisits the 30th anniversary of the big thompson flood one of the most deadly flash floods in colorados recorded history jarrett and vandas, 2006. Last major state flood with loss of life was the south platte river flood to eastern colorado in 1965 in which 26 died. This is the story of the great thompson flood, where seven women of cru were killed and those who survived were changed forever. Rather than rely on unknowns or mediocre stars, this irwin allen production features some of the finest actors around. This normally pleasant river rapidly became a raging torrent as the volume of water reached a peak 31,000 cfs, far above the 200 cfs that normally flow through the narrows. Politics world business tech health time health entertainment science newsfeed living sports history the time. When i heard the news in vail, it reminded me of the big thompson flood of 1976, the summer we moved from the midwest to vail.
Flash floods and warnings national weather service. Often, human actions contributed to the devastating effects of flooding. The resulting flash flood caused destruction as far as the platte river southeast of greeley, colorado. The big thompson canyon flood was the first in the nation with loss of life since idahos teton dam failure in june. The flood demolished homes and businesses and claimed the lives of visitors and residents alike. The big thompson flood has been called the worst natural disaster in colorado history. Shaffer, a survivor of the 1976 flood of the big thompson river, is still. The 1976 big thompson river flood offers an example. The failure of the teton dam caused extreme flooding along the teton river, henrys fork, and snake river in southeastern idaho on june 58, 1976. He cant shake the mental scars of dodging missiles disguised as. It is the main link between the plains and rocky mountain national park. Devastating flash floods swept through the canyon section of.
The river we iceskated on in the winter and that i caught my first fish from, on a piece of black thread with a rusty, found hook is long gone. Loveland, co devastating canyon flooding, aug 1976. The area covered by the atlases extends from teton dam downstream to american. Sep 24, 20 in 1976 in big thompson canyon flash flooding%2c 144 people died. The flood crest on the big thompson river moved through the 7. Teton dam flood of june 1976, moody quadrangle, idaho. Aug 26, 20 in the summer of 1976, when i was 7 years old, the river i lived near the big thompson suffered a flash flood of unheard of proportions. Season 4 episode 1 56m 43s 2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the most deadly natural disaster in colorados history. A deadly flood that helped improve weather forecasting welcome. Combine the celebration of colorados statehood centennial with the grandeur of summer in the colorado rockies and you can well imagine the scene along highway 34 in the big thompson canyon as july 1976 ended.
Other floods in the states history have resulted in a greater loss of life. The rain started in the evening of july 31 and by the wee hours. Many residents and visitors who were present in the big thompson canyon on july 31, 1976, recall the flood with vivid memories. This gage was used as a source of information by wsfo denver on the night of the flood, but did not contribute information about the big thompson river. On july 31, between 12 and 14 inches of rain fell over a fourhour period in the mountains around. Devastation also occurred along the north fork big thompson. Storm and flood of july 31august 1, 1976, in the big thompson.
The flood washed out all stream and rain gages so accurate measurements were not possible. Jan 30, 2017 marsh llc announced that its subsidiary, torrent technologies, inc. Id be interested in any literature anyone has regarding the big thompson flood. A flood of memories the big thompson flood of 1976 part 1. No flooding occurred downstream from american falls reservoir. National flood insurance program selects marshs torrent. Unusual weather patterns allowed the huge storm system to stall over the area as it dumped its load. On july 31, 1976, a violent rainstorm sent rushing water through the big thompson canyon just west of loveland.
Last major state flood with loss of life was the south platte river. All of the stories of where, when and what they were doing that night, are both heart wrenching and amazing to. The inundated areas and maximum watersurface elevations are shown in a series of 17 hydrologic atlases. He cant shake the mental scars of dodging missiles disguised as spewing propane tanks, crunched homes, and. Route 34 runs through the canyon, adjacent to the river in many spots. It holds pictures of the days that followed the 1976 flood, a recording the sale of. The flood in the big thompson canyon destroyed 316. In june 1976, just before the flood, the fulltime canyon population. Many of the estimated 2500 to 3000 people in the canyon were caught. In the 1930s, the colorado state highway department used new deal money to construct a modern highway in big thompson canyon. These floods were much more extensive the the big thompson canyon flood of 1976, but because of timely and accurate warnings, many people stayed out of harms way and lives were saved.
The flood in the big thompson canyon destroyed 316 homes, 45 mobile homes, 52 businesses, and 438 automobiles. Man survives 1976 big thompson flood, still recovering from loss in. From lake estes, the river descends 12 mile 800 m in elevation through the mountains in the spectacular 25 mi 40 km big thompson canyon, emerging from the foothills west of loveland. When a foot of rain fell over big thompson canyon in 1976, it killed. But the torrents did, once again, rip down the big thompson canyon. Geological survey usgs flood science as a consequence of this disaster, and provides a reminder that extreme floods like the 1976 big thompson flood have occurred in other locations in colorado in the past and will occur. A massive, prolonged rain event in september 20 claimed far fewer lives, but destroyed numerous establishments, including vistenzsmith park, where the 30th anniversary remembrance of the big thompson flood was held. Guide to the david mccomb big thompson flood collection. Big thompson flood 1976 rocky mountain national park. The 1965 flood changed the face of denver westword. Page 1 of 2 big thompson flood 1976 posted in rocky mountain national park news and information. This tributary flows east, through the town of glen haven, where it merges with the big thompson river in the town of drake, in the big thompson canyon. Jerry shaffer, a survivor of the 1976 big thompson flood, reminisces at. Hurricane kathleen was a tropical cyclone that had a destructive impact in california.
National flood insurance program selects marshs torrent technologies as direct service provider. On july 31, between 12 and 14 inches of rain fell over a fourhour period in the mountains around the. Jul 31, 2012 the big thompson flood of 1976 was the deadliest flash flood in colorados recorded history. On september 7, 1976, a tropical depression formed. Deadly big thompson flood devastates colorado video. In the summer of 1976, when i was 7 years old, the river i lived near the big thompson suffered a flash flood of unheard of proportions. Big thompson flood, colorado usgs publications repository. Kathleen brushed the pacific coast of the peninsula as a hurricane on september 9 and made landfall as a fastmoving tropical storm the next day. The 1976 big thompson flood stands as the worst natural disaster in colorados recorded history. It sits at the mouth of a canyon and is threaded with creeks. The resulting flash flood caused destruction as far as the platte river.
It was the worst flood disaster in loss of life since the rapid city, s. On july 31, between 12 and 14 inches of rain fell over a fourhour period in the mountains around the resort town of estes park. Jul 29, 2016 the big thompson flood in 1976 crashed through the canyon killing more than 140 people and destroying 418 homes. A flood of memories part 2 the big thompson flood of 1976 the river changed for me after the flood and, to this day, it is not the one i remember from my early childhood. Kathleen brushed the pacific coast of the peninsula as a hurricane on september 9 and made landfall as a fastmoving tropical storm. On the big thompson river, from just west of glen comfort downstream to loveland there was almost complete devastation.
Geological survey, about some of the largest floods in americas history. Colorado remembers big thompson canyon flash flood of 1976. Big thompson flood still colorados worst share this. Big thompson flood still colorados worst the denver post. The combination of a state and national holiday, a downed weather warning station, and a torrential rainstorm that remained stationary over the big thompson river for several hours, left 144. Jan 26, 2004 page 1 of 2 big thompson flood 1976 posted in rocky mountain national park news and information.
On july 31, 1976, during the celebration of colorados centennial, the big thompson canyon was the site of a devastating flash flood that. Remembering the one colorado flood to rule them allstill vice. In light of the current flooding of the mississippi river, times kayla webley spoke to robert holmes, a flood expert with the u. A flood of memories the big thompson flood of 1976 part 3. All of the stories of where, when and what they were doing that night, are both heart wrenching and amazing to hear. Oct 03, 2011 this is the story of the great thompson flood, where seven women of cru were killed and those who survived were changed forever.
Big thompson canyon flash flood 1976 national weather service. Clouds piled 12 miles into the mountain skyunleashed a deluge on july 31, 1976, setting off the most powerful flood since glaciers retreated 10,000 years ago. Flooding in colorado articles colorado encyclopedia. For the record, there was no warning that night, and no one in the canyon that night ever dreamed the big thompson would flood the way it did as it had flooded before, but not like it did that night. The big thompson flood in 1976 crashed through the canyon killing more than 140 people and destroying 418 homes. In 1976 in big thompson canyon flash flooding%2c 144 people died. Torrent believes these enhancements will streamline the process for agents and provide real time data on flood related events to the federal government. Jul 25, 2016 forty years ago on july 31, as coloradoans and tourists celebrated the states centennial, between 12 and 14 inches of rain fell over a fourhour period in the mountains below the resort town of estes park, killing 143 people. The flood in the big thompson canyon destroyed 316 homes, 45 mobile homes, 52 businesses, and 438.
Nine people drowned during the flooding, which was a combination of flash floods and river floods. I remember all of the news on tv and reading accounts in. Edward kronenberger was found first, and after what seemed a long time, kimmy and esther. Devastation also occurred along the north fork big thompson river in the vicinity of glen haven. They were only three of what was to amount to over 150 lives claimed by the raging waters of the big thompson flood that july 31, 1976. The big thompson flash flood of summer 1976 that killed 144 people in a canyon to the north. The bodies of julies father, mother and sister were soon and inevitably found. The big thompson flood of 1976 was the deadliest flash flood in colorados recorded history. Chris, thank you for this short but informative story on the lawn lake flood.
Cabin lodged on a private bridge just below drake, looking upstream. Big thompson flood season 4 episode 1 colorado experience. Deadly big thompson flood devastates colorado in this archival report from aug. This is also the story of giving thanks to the lord in all things. In june 1976, just before the flood, the fulltime canyon population was. A crack in the living room wall is a constant reminder a reminder. The big thompson flood of july, 31, 1976, was one of three major. Geological survey to commemorate the 1976 flood was obliterated by the 20 event, and the sylvan dale ranch, host of the.
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