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FGUS75 KPUB 161107
ESFPUB
COC015-065-241115-

Hydrologic Outlook
National Weather Service Pueblo CO
507 AM MDT Thu May 16 2024

...SPECIAL HYDROLOGIC STATEMENT...

This statement is primarily for areas below Turquoise Lake along
Lake Fork Creek, downstream to the Arkansas River confluence within
Lake County.

This statement is valid from May 15 to June 30, 2024.

The potential for elevated river levels and inundation of low-lying
areas, due to increased releases from Sugar Loaf Dam, is higher than
normal for areas along Lake Fork Creek in Lake County.


...OUTLOOK FOR THE NEXT 45 DAYS...

In order to make room for anticipated inflows to Turquoise Lake from
snowmelt runoff, and to prevent an uncontrolled spill from Sugar
Loaf Dam, The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation will increase reservoir
releases to 450 cfs beginning Wednesday May 15 and continuing
through June 30, 2024.

This release is expected to continue to inundate and cause damage to
County Road 5 in Lake County.

Local authorities and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation have been
actively notifying those downstream of Sugar Loaf Dam of these
anticipated impacts that could last through late June, and
mitigation measures to help fortify County Road 5 and other areas
are currently being made.

At this time, no additional flooding or impacts are expected further
downstream along Lake Fork Creek, or beyond its confluence with the
Arkansas River. Please continue to heed all road closures and
additional orders from local law enforcement and emergency
management.


...ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...

For the latest information on reservoir conditions and releases from
Sugar Loaf Dam at Turquoise Lake, please contact Anna Perea, Public
Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, at
aperea@usbr.gov

For the latest weather information and alert notifications for Lake
County, visit our web site at weather.gov/pub

For more hydrologic information including graphs of probabilistic
river outlooks and forecasts, visit the National Water Prediction
Service page at water.noaa.gov
$$

JML