Heavy Snow Could Mean Spring Flooding
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Updated: 12:37 PM Jan 5, 2009
Heavy Snow Could Mean Spring Flooding
With one of the snowiest Decembers on record and more storms predicted in the coming weeks, the snowpack on top of the mountains is adding up, creating the potential for flooding this spring.
Posted: 8:36 AM Jan 5, 2009
Reporter: KKCO
Email Address: news@nbc11news.com
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With one of the snowiest Decembers on record and more storms predicted in the coming weeks, the snowpack on top of the mountains is adding up, creating the potential for flooding this spring.

The National Weather Service says the snowpack or snow that feeds into rivers, lakes, and springs is over 100 percent of average on the mountains of Western Colorado - and in some places up to 125 percent.

Experts say for now, numbers like that are a good thing because it means more water for residents in some of Colorado’s driest areas.

But if snowpack levels stay high through April, they say there is a much greater risk for flooding.

Last may, the rapidly melting snow caused the Colorado River and Plateau Creek to rise several feet and pushed them close to flood stage.

“That is a concern, but it’s a little too early to evaluate anything like that right now,” says Chris Cuoco of the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service says current snowpack levels are on par with last year’s and several snow storms moving into our area the next few weeks should add to those totals.

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