Update, 11:30 a.m., Monday, Oct. 13: The Archuleta County Sheriff's Office currently has deputies patrolling all areas of the county in anticipation of rising water levels. As of 11 a.m. this morning, there are no current reports of mud slides or significant increase in river levels.
Original: Another surge of tropical moisture will move in from the south today and persist through Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service, already saturated soils and elevated river levels combined with a potential for 1-2 inches, with 3-4 inches possible locally, could result in flood impacts today, Tuesday and Wednesday.
The main area of concern is Southwest Colorado and the San Juan mountains, where a flood watch is in effect. In addition, an areal flood warning near Vallecito and a flood warning for the San Juan River at Pagosa Springs also remains in effect.
As of 7 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 13, the San Juan River at Pagosa Springs was at 7.58 feet and 1,800 cubic feet per second (cfs).
According to a forecast from Pagosa Weather on Sunday evening, "The river is forecast to rise above flood stage late Monday evening and to crest around 10.9ft early Tuesday morning."
The NWS flood stage is 9 feet, with 9.48 being action stage, 10.5 being minor, 11.7 being moderate and 12.6 being major.
The river peaked at 12.66 feet and 8,270 cfs on Saturday, Oct. 11, with the flood level being the third highest on record, behind flood events in 1911 and 1927.
The WW Clyde team has been monitoring the work zone since the heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding began. Fortunately, the subgrade on U.S. 160, being prepared for concrete paving, is holding up well.
Pumps were set up to remove water from the site.
The project team has been standing by to support the Town of Pagosa Springs with heavy equipment operators and sandbags if needed.
Crews will continue to monitor the work zone over the next few days as rain continues in the forecast. Once the storms pass, a solid inspection of the entire site will be conducted.
