Pueblo agencies work to improve Fountain Creek after flood season

Flood season is over, but for agencies in Pueblo County this is when their work begins in Fountain Creek.

Mother Nature left her mark on Bill Alt’s property this year.

“I can’t even get into the southern part of my pasture because of the sand dunes and debris,” he said.

Alt said he lost about a quarter mile of his land because of floodwaters this year.

“It would cost thousands of dollars to remove it, which doesn’t make much sense because the next flood that comes in will bring it right back,” he said.

Pueblo County Commissioner Terry Hart said the county is working to make sure more people don’t get as much damage as Alt did on his property.

Hart said county crews have already installed a levee near the Pinon Bridge on the north side of the county and built an alternate street on Overton Road since it was damaged by floodwaters. Hart said the county plans on doing more.

“A Wright Water Engineering report indicated pretty clearly that one of the critical needs that we have is removing sedimentation and debris,” he said.

Hart said the county is waiting for money from the federal and state governments, along with funds from Colorado Springs before cleaning out the creek.

Further down the creek, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is doing its part to make sure Pueblo is safe during flood season.

Assistant City Manager for Stormwater Jeff Bailey said the engineers are making the embankment along 13th Street in Pueblo stronger. He said this is to protect the railroad track and properties near the creek.

Hart said the county is in the process of creating a monetary mitigation fund committee. He said the purpose of the group is to identify areas that need flood projects in Pueblo County.