16.81 feet: San Juan River crest hits second-highest level in Pagosa Springs history
Back-to-back storms in southwestern Colorado have saturated the ground, forcing mandatory evacuations in six counties and severing communication lines in key towns.
By Arjun Wojcik ·
The ground in southwestern Colorado was already soaked when the next storm arrived on Sunday, triggering a second wave of historic flooding within ten days. The San Juan River in Pagosa Springs rose to 16.81 feet on Sunday night, a level that marks the second-highest crest on record for that location.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data shows the river is two feet higher than its peak from the previous week, though it fell short of the 22-foot record set in 1911. Forecasters expected the river to rise further, but the 16.81-foot measurement remains a severe threshold for the region.
Eric Petersen, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Pueblo office, explained that the land had no capacity to absorb more water. Reservoirs were full, and the soil remained saturated from the initial storm, pushing the new rainfall directly into river basins.
Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for low-lying areas in La Plata, Archuleta, Rio Grande, Mineral, Conejos, and Montezuma counties. Specific zones include downtown Pagosa Springs, parts of Durango, and the town of Mancos. Residents in these areas were told to leave immediately, while others in adjacent zones were ordered to shelter in place.
The double impact has caused extensive infrastructure damage. In Archuleta County, floodwaters cut cell service, and residents struggled to send texts over Wi-Fi. Katie German, owner of Bruin Coffee in Pagosa Springs, told the Associated Press that she was worried about trucks being unable to reach her business due to a potential bridge washout.
Lucas Boyer, a meteorologist with the Grand Junction office, noted that runoff from smaller creeks continues to feed larger rivers. He stated that the two consecutive historic rainfalls would definitely have widespread impacts, even as the deepest moisture passed on Sunday.
Road closures remain extensive across the region. The Colorado Department of Transportation lists multiple highway blockades, including U.S. 160 through Pagosa Springs and U.S. 550 north of Durango. In La Plata County, Sheriff Sean Smith closed all county roads on Sunday due to debris flows, a closure that lifted Monday morning but left nearly three dozen roads partially blocked by mud and debris.
Source: The Oakland Press
