With rain on the way, Arkansas River at risk of flooding in Canon City
High water continues to run through the Arkansas River, especially in Fremont County; and with rains expected to roll into the county this weekend, Florence and Canon City are expecting flood damages.
As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, the Arkansas River in Canon City was at 9.5 feet and flowing at about 4,500 cubic feet per second (CFS). A large portion of the high water level is from the snow melt off the high mountains.
With the river roaring, Centennial Park in downtown Canon City is filled with spectators looking to an up close look at the river.
But rains are in the forecast.
“Into Saturday Sunday, and Monday we are expecting higher probabilities of rainfall,” said Tony Anderson, a Service Hydrologist with the National Weather Service. “Forecasts go slightly above flood stage in Canon City so there is a lot of water moving down the river, and the banks can become unstable.”
If the Arkansas river gets above 10 feet in Canon City, the water would crest above the banks into the low flood areas. This includes some homes. The NWS expects there to be minor flooding damages.
“We live on Riverside in Canon City, So about as close as you can get to river,” said Sam Crawford, who lives at the intersection of South 1st Street and Riverside Avenue.
Crawford has lived in his home for two and a half years. Despite being neighbors with the Arkansas River, he has only experienced flooding damages once. However, he isn’t terribly concerned heading into this weekend.
“There is a spot in the basement for a sump pump if water comes in,” said Crawford. “We have a way to pump the water out if needed.”
“They should keep an eye on [the river] and judge whether or not they think it will affect their homes, then possibly start thinking about sandbagging,” said Anderson. “But right now, we think that’s a very low probability.”
Crawford, who works for the city of Canon City, says he’s more concerned with people getting into the river who don’t know what they are doing.
NWS says life jackets are must right now for people who are spending time around the water.
A flood warning continues for the Arkansas River in Canon City.
The river flow levels are projected to get above 5,500 CFS by the weekend. A flood warning continues for the Arkansas River in Canon City.
