When was the Big Thompson flood in Estes Park?

When was the Big Thompson flood in Estes Park?

July 31, 1976
On July 31, 1976, 144 people lost their lives when torrential downpours caused the Big Thompson River to flood.

What caused the Big Thompson flood 1976?

This flood was triggered by a nearly stationary thunderstorm near the upper section of the canyon that dumped 300 millimeters (12 inches) of rain in less than 4 hours (more than 3/4 of the average annual rainfall for the area). Little rain fell over the lower section of the canyon, where many of the victims were.

When was the Big Thompson 1976 flood?

A complex system of thunderstorms produced intense rainfall from about 6 to 7 pm (MDT) on July 31, 1976, in the Front Range foot- hills of Colorado’s Big Thompson River (fig.

Where does the Big Thompson River start?

Rocky Mountains
Big Thompson River/Sources

The Big Thompson River begins in the Forest Canyon, inside the Rocky Mountains. It flows west towards Moraine Park inside Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, continuing along the path of Highway 34 all the way to Loveland. It keeps going west until it merges with the South Platte River south of Greeley.

What kind of fish are in the Big Thompson River?

The Fish. Check out the Big Thompson River Fish Survey and management data here. The Big T houses brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.

How many people died in the Thompson Canyon flood?

8 people died
The most recent major flooding in Big Thompson Canyon occurred during a series of storms along the Front Range in 2013. During this 2013 flood, 8 people died and more than $2 billion dollars of damage occurred.

How long did the 1976 flood last?

In 1976, Colorado saw the most powerful flood that the state had seen in 1,000s of years. The flooding occurred when a massive amount of rain fell in the Loveland area, most of which came down during a window of one to two hours.

Can you swim in the Big Thompson River?

The 1,700 acre reservoir offers: boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, swim beach, hiking & biking trails, hunting.

Is there gold in Big Thompson River?

PROSPECTS: Thompson Creek has good gold, and much of it is big and slabby. Members have found gold all along T-1, wherever they have dredged. Some do better along the edges, and some find it in the center of the creek.

How big was the Big Thompson Flood?

On July 31, 1976, during the celebration of Colorado’s centennial, the Big Thompson Canyon was the site of a devastating flash flood that swept down the steep and narrow canyon, claiming the lives of 143 people, 5 of whom were never found.

Where is Big Thompson River in Colorado?

The headwaters of the Big Thompson River are in Rocky Mountain National Park. The Big Thompson River is a tributary of the South Platte River, approximately 78 miles (123 km) long, in the U.S. state of Colorado.

Where is Big Thompson Canyon Colorado?

The headwaters of the Big Thompson River begin in Forest Canyon within Rocky Mountain National Park in Larimer County, Colorado. The river flows east through Moraine Park to the town of Estes Park. There it is held in Lake Estes by Olympus Dam before being released into the Big Thompson Canyon.

When did Thompson River flood happen?

The Big Thompson River begins around Estes Park in northern Colorado and flows east through the state into Big Thompson Canyon. On July 31, 1976, meteorological conditions similar to what happened in September 2013 caused what is now called the Big Thompson Flood of 1976.