The snow pack for this winter season is above average.  In preparation of the run-off season, Rio Grande County Commissioners, Emergency Preparedness Officers, Sheriff, Public Health and Road & Bridge Department has been working to be prepared for possible flooding.  No one can say when, where and how much flooding will occur.  The “weather” will decide.  If the spring is cool, run-off will be manageable.  If we have above normal temperatures and/or rain, flooding will occur.

Rio Grande County will provide as much information for the citizens and home owners as possible so they can prepare for protection of their own property and livestock.  Rio Grande County will do the same for the protection of county facilities, bridges, and roadways.  But individuals must start preparing now if located in the 100 year flood zone or next to the river or various creeks.  The following information and web sites are provided to assist in getting prepared:

SAND BAGS: Sand bags can be purchased from the following merchants:

United Building Center, 29160 W. US Highway 160, South Fork
Del Norte Auto Supply, 775 Grande Avenue, Del Norte
C & L Container Co., 31 Jefferson, Monte Vista
Monte Vista Coop, 1901 E. US Highway 160, Monte Vista
NAPA Auto Parts, 1080 N. Hwy. 285, Monte Vista

SAND: Rio Grande County will provide sand at the following locations free of charge:

South Fork-Old transfer station located on Wharton Drive,  north of
the County’s Road Shop.  Sand will be in place 3/20/2008
Del Norte – 5th and Oak Streets in Del Norte, across from the Del Norte Town Shops. Sand will be available starting on March 27th.
Monte Vista – Ski Hi Park off of Ski Hi Trail and south of the City
Shops and east of the horse stables.  Sand will be in place
3/24/2008.

RIVER FLOWS:  The flood point in any stream can and does change periodically with natural and unnatural changes in the stream channel.  Therefore, the alert levels are just a very rough estimate of the point where some flooding might occur.  With all of the continued building within the natural flood plain of the river, some flooding may occur below our existing alert levels which are:

Rio Grande near South Fork – 2500 cfs
Rio Grande near Del Norte – 7500 cfs
Rio Grande near Monte Vista – 4000 cfs

To monitor the real time stream flow levels for these points go to http://www.dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWater/Default.aspx.

These three points are found at the following gauging stations:

South Fork Rio Grande River at South Fork (RIOSFKCO)
Rio Grande River at Monte Vista (RIOMONCO)
Rio Grande River at Del Norte (RIODELCO)

Other useful sites are: 
www.slvgis.info and follow the link for floodplain maps and other data.

http://www.nohrsc.nws.gov/interactive/html/map.html. National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center interactive map

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/pub/?n=climate/index.php for climate information.

www.riograndecounty.org.  Then click on Public Health and click onto their link for information about food and water during a flood, protecting your well, how to re enter a flood home, etc.

Reporting of flood or dangerous conditions:  For flooding of roads or bridge
outages:  Rio Grande County Road Department – 719-852-4781

For all other emergencies:  911 or Rio Grande County Sheriff at 719-657-4000.