Fountain Creek threatens properties, infrastructure
Pueblo County is dealing with the mess left behind after Fountain Creek hit levels Tuesday it hasn’t seen since 1999, threatening properties and infrastructure.
County leaders took the media on a tour of flood-damaged areas Thursday morning beginning at Pion Bridge. Commissioner Liane “Buffie” McFadyen pointed to the bank adjacent to the creek where the water threatened to undercut the support of the bridge on Tuesday.
“We were very concerned that the water coming down was going to cut the bridge away from where it’s anchored into the side of the bridge abutment,” McFadyen said. “Still could happen.”
The next stop on the tour — Overton Road. McFadyen said between 10 to 15 feet of the road falls into Fountain Creek daily.
Commissioner Terry Hart said the county had a plan to reroute the road that was estimated to cost $800,000 but that plan now seems unlikely.
“Every time we come up with a new plan, get a new storm event coming in and so we end up having to talk about moving it further to the east,” Hart said.
Hart said the estimate to reroute the road will likely be more than double what the county projected because Fountain Creek keeps eroding the land.
McFadyen said it’s difficult to repair any of the damaged infrastructure because the creek levels are still high.
“We’re worried about it taking down the railroad at 13th Street in Pueblo. We’re worried that the drainage pond behind Walmart on the north side, that that berm could go and take out that area,” McFadyen said.
When asked what discussions Pueblo County Commissioners have had with Colorado Springs, McFadyen said newly-elected Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers met with county commissioners individually last week.
“It was encouraging to hear the serious nature that the new mayor is taking it,” McFadyen said. “Our trust level is not high but we’re encouraged.”
When KRDO NewsChannel 13 asked McFadyen why it wasn’t high, she replied, “Well, you’re looking at why. This flooding is indicative of an ongoing problem and literally it’s been going on since 1999.”
The last stop on the tour was Frank Masciantonio’s property.
“I figured we lost either right at 20 to 25 acres during the flood,” Masciantonio said.
He said the creek has carved out farmland, and formed a new channel on his property.
“This is the worst I’ve seen it for how it’s cutting away and everybody losing their property,” Masciantonio said.
Sixty five people have called the county to report flood damage. A county spokeswoman said Pueblo County would need to lose 100 homes in order for private property owners to be considered for federal funds. No homes have been destroyed this year as a result of the floods.
To report property damage, call the county at 719-583-6202.
