Straw dams to help neighborhood during flood season

Straw could be the key to protecting homes this flood season.

The Coalition for the Upper South Platte put up straw dams in the Peregrine neighborhood today, which is located in the city’s west side.

The neighborhood is below the Waldo Canyon burn scar.

The straw dams are meant to slow down floodwater coming down the canyon.

But last year’s heavy floods damaged the dams. That led to CUSP coming back out to Peregrine with sledgehammers and shovels to help the residents fix the straw dams.

“It protects properties, it protects lives and it protects the infrastructure,” CUSP worker Paige Fulghum said.

Manish Kochhar’s yard was damaged from floodwater after the Waldo Canyon fire.

He said it was like a river of gasoline and black tar coming down the side of his yard.

Kochhar said between the sandbags near his home and straw dams, he feels safer going into the flood season.