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Ice jams cause concerns for Roaring Fork, Frying Pan rivers; flood advisory remains through Monday

Staff report
An ice floe on the Roaring Fork River through Basalt in 2019. Wildlife officials say there is a chance of an ice jam breakage on the river due to the warm weather.
Courtesy Roaring Fork Conservancy

After reports of ice jams along the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers on Saturday, the National Weather Service issued a flood advisory update reminding people to stay away from area rivers.

Emergency management officials sent out an alert Saturday evening after jams were spotted and raised concerns about potentially dangerous situations for a second consecutive day.

Saturday night’s alert said “debris along with large chunks of ice will result in sudden rises in water flows” and warned people to stay “out of and clear of local rivers.”

A Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office deputy said Saturday night there were reports from Basalt police officials that they saw a lot of debris and dams on the rivers, but as of 9:30 p.m. there were no reports of flooding or damage.

The alert was issued for Basalt, El Jebel and Woody Creek and the Fryingpan Valley.

The weather service previously issued a flood advisory for parts of the Roaring Fork Valley, and it remains in effect through 4:45 p.m. Monday for northwestern Pitkin, southwestern Eagle and southeastern Garfield counties.

On Friday afternoon, two ice floes went down the Roaring Fork River through Basalt. The swift-moving floes had large blocks of ice as well has tree trunks and branches. No damage or injuries were reported Friday.


 

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