CDOT and Manitou Springs discuss flash flooding preparations

On Monday, we learned what Colorado Springs and El Paso County have done to reduce the threat of flash flooding; now, we’re learning what Manitou Springs has done.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is working with Manitou Springs city officials to minimize the possible damage from flash flooding. Last July, a hailstorm clogged drains and led to floods that filled the streets and forced the closure of U.S. 24 in Ute Pass for the first time since 2014.

Several projects were completed in the aftermath of the Waldo Canyon Fire in June 2012 and are also a benefit during the area’s summer rainy season.

The structures trap debris and sediment and slow the velocity of storm runoff. Those three factors contributed to most of the damage in the aftermath of the 2012 wildfire.

“My husband lost all of his supplies during the big flood because the (art) studio was right next to Rocky’s place, and it completely flooded the entire building, all the way to the ceiling,” said Deborah Felton.

But as last summer’s hailstorm revealed, such flood mitigation isn’t perfect.

“I think they’ve been tested,” said Brad Bauer, a CDOT supervisor. “I don’t think they’ve been completely tested. Sooner or later, we’re going to get that 100-year storm that’s going to dump 3 inches in 45 minutes. That’s going to be a tough one. It’ll be hard to keep the sediment off the highway.”
It’ll also be hard to keep sediment out of neighborhoods along Fountain Creek and several mountain canyons.

Yet several people believe the flood control structures are effective for most storms the area receives.

“I think people are pretty secure in that I don’t think we’re going to have any major issues, unless we get that 500-year storm, and then I don’t know that any amount of mitigation can prevent what could come,” said Leslie Lewis, executive director of the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce.​​​​​​​

“Where I am, I feel safe that we’re not going to be in a problem situation,” said homeowner Jeff Johnson. “But if you’re down lower, you know that at some point you’re going to get a lot of water, right?”​​​​​​​
Other changes since the fire include installing a siren downtown to alert people to a flash flood warning and installing closure gates in Ute Pass to close U.S. 24 in specific areas, when necessary.