Just as forewarned before the construction of the new walkway under the 32nd Street bridge, the city of Durango was going to increase the flooding potential between the bridge and Trimble Lane. Recent flood level figures have proved that to be true.
During the flood in October, USGS noted that the flow in the Animas River rose to 5,800 cubic feet per second at its measuring point at the old power plant in Durango. However, river levels at the south end of Dalton Ranch rose two to three feet above a spring flow of 6,500 cfs. How can that be?
When I learned the city was going to put a new walkway under the 32nd Street bridge, I assumed they would build it like the Main Avenue bridge tunnel, which increased its actual flood carrying capacity.
When I learned differently, I immediately warned the city, before construction, of the danger of increased flooding in the Animas Valley. And that, despite the Animas River bottom, immediately south of Dalton Ranch, having been eroded by approximately 20 feet down (because of numerous years of gravel extraction activity upstream), two river channels, and most oxbows having gone dry. We have photos and correspondence with the U.S. Corps of Engineers to prove that.
Failing corrective action, the city should expect a serious lawsuit from at least everyone south of Animas School Road. The responsibility is in the city’s court.
James F. Hanks
Durango
