US 550 Bondad Hill Open After Rockslide

LA PLATA COUNTY – The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) restored all three lanes of traffic on US 550 Bondad Hill located about 5 miles south of Durango earlier today, Thursday, June 9.  Crews blasted large rocks and boulders which had fallen from the hillside. The blasting allowed maintenance workers to more easily remove the rock and debris from the roadway. All three lanes of traffic were restored at 4:00 p.m.

At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, CDOT crews responded to a call about rocks on the road. CDOT crews determined a rock slide had taken place at US 550 MM 6 known as Bondad Hill. Crews were able to remove the smaller debris and maintain two-lane traffic (north and south bound) at all times. The north bound climbing lane, closest to the cliff, was closed all night.

Despite an estimated 75 to 100 tons of rock falling from the hillside, there was no significant damage to the highway.

CDOT maintenance crews will continue to closely monitor the area. Region 5 engineers have reached out to staff from the Geotechnical Group at CDOT Headquarters so that a long range mitigation plan can be developed. The Geotechnical Group comprises of civil engineering staff that specialize in the characterization and behavior of earth material.   

Additionally, CDOT crews will return to the area next week to continue to clear and remove the rock which has been pushed off the road, but needs to be completely removed from the shoulder and side of the road. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. However, travelers may expect short delays when heavy equipment is moved across the road.  

ROAD INFORMATION: To sign up for CDOT updates on projects in your chosen area, visit CDOT’s website at www.codot.gov and choose the envelope icon at the bottom of the page. Or, to see CDOT’s lane closure reports for projects statewide, visit www.codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html. Updates are also available via Twitter @coloradodot and be sure to “Like” us on Facebook.

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News Release - Captain Kuss Memorial Events

Arrangements have been made for memorial events in Durango to honor our hometown hero and Blue Angel Captain Jeff Kuss.  There are two opportunities for our community to participate and show support to his family and our military.

At 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11, the private motorcade of family and friends will start the procession from 32^nd Street south down Main Avenue to Greenmount Cemetery.  The public has been asked by the family to line the motorcade route along Main Avenue from 32^nd Street to College Drive to show support to the family and honor his military service.  Participants are encouraged to wave flags and blue and yellow ribbons or stand at attention.

The family has asked that the motorcade only be comprised of friends and family who have been invited to the private service at Greenmount Cemetery.  The Cemetery will be closed to the public during the service (noon – 1:00 p.m.), but the public may still hear the 21-gun salute from town and see Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 312 fly over Durango in the Missing Man formation.

Friends and family are invited to attend a reception from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Fort Lewis College Student Union Building, 1000 Rim Drive, Durango to begin the healing process as a community.

Road Closures:

·         The westbound lane on County Road 251 (between 32^nd Street and County Road 250) will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 11 for staging for the private motorcade. The eastbound lane to (County Road 250) will remain open. 

·         Rolling road closures will begin at 11:00 a.m. as the motorcade proceeds from 32^nd Street to Main Avenue south to College Drive.  Side streets and southbound traffic will be stopped to allow the motorcade to travel south along Main Avenue.  From College Drive, the motorcade will turn right and travel north on Camino del Rio to 9^th Street, where they will go left and proceed to Greenmount Cemetery.

·         Northbound traffic will be stopped at the intersection of Camino del Rio (Highway 550) and College Drive and again at the intersection of Camino del Rio and Main Avenue to allow the motorcade to pass.

·         Southbound traffic will be stopped at 9^th Street and Camino del Rio (Highway 550) to allow the motorcade to pass.

The City of Durango Police Department, La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Fort Lewis College Police Department and Farmington (New Mexico) Police Department will assist with the rolling road closures and escorting the motorcade.

SW COLORADO: Rockfall at Bondad Hill - US 550 South of Durango

**MEDIA ALERT**

YESTERDAY, (Wed June 9): At approximately 5:30 p.m. yesterday, CDOT crews received call about rocks on the road on US 550 about 5 miles south of Durango. CDOT crews determined a rock slide had taken place at MM 6 known as Bondad Hill. Crews were able to remove the smaller debris and maintain two-lane traffic (north and south bound). The north bound climbing lane, closest to the cliff was closed all night  and remains closed. 

TODAY (Thurs, June 9): CDOT crews plan to drill and blast the rocks today, in order to more easily remove the debris from the roadway.   The road is expected to be completely open by the end of the day and for the weekend.

TRAVEL IMPACTS: Two-lane traffic will remain open for north and south bound travel, but motorists should use caution, follow signage and slow down in the work area. Sometime after 12:00 noon, today, crews will blast the larger pieces of stone in order to move the rock off the roadway. At that time traffic will be stopped for approximately 15 min. 

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National Weather Service Flood Advisory

Flood Advisory

FLOOD STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
742 PM MDT TUE JUN 7 2016

...The flood advisory continues for the Los Pinos River...

  Los Pinos River near Bayfield affecting La Plata County

.Mostly sunny days and above average temperatures will lead to
continued snowmelt from the high mountains over the next few days.
River flows will remain high from a combination of the snowmelt
and upstream reservoir releases.

The flows on the Los Pinos near Bayfield will remain high for the
week. Inflow into vallecito will continue to be high into the weekend
therefore releases will remain steady near 2100 CFS. Downstream with
additional flow from other tributaries the Los Pinos flows will be
near 2400 CFS or a stage of 5.16 feet.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Safety Message...Do not drive through flooded areas as two feet of
water is enough to float most vehicles. Caution is urged when walking
near waterways. Avoid flooded areas and unstable riverbanks. Stay
tuned to developments by listening to NOAA Weather Radio or your
local TV or radio stations.

Additional information can also be found on the NWS Grand Junction
homepage at weather.gov/gjt

&&

COC067-090742-
/O.CON.KGJT.FL.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
/LPVC2.N.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
742 PM MDT TUE JUN 7 2016

The Flood Advisory continues for
  The Los Pinos River near Bayfield
* until further notice.
* At 06 PM Tuesday the stage was 5.2 feet.
* Bankfull stage is 4.8 feet.
* Flood stage is 5.5 feet.
* Forecast...The river will remain near 5.2 feet into the weekend.
* Impact...At 5.2 feet...Significant flooding of lowlands adjacent to
  the river can be expected.

High Flows Cause Discoloration in Cement Creek and Upper Animas River: Monitoring Indicates No Increased Risk

PSA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: May 25, 2016

Contact: Claire Ninde, San Juan Basin Health

335-2044; email: communications@sjbhd.org

High Flows Cause Discoloration in Cement Creek and Upper Animas River:

Monitoring Indicates No Increased Risk

Durango, COLO– Southwest Colorado is experiencing an increase in spring runoff that has discolored Cement Creek and the upper Animas River. Due to warm weather and snow melt, Cement Creek has increased discoloration as flows increase.

Despite the increased discoloration, continuous monitoring of water quality in Cement Creek and the Animas River shows no changes that are concerning for environmental or public health. Water sampling at multiple locations will continue to occur weekly during spring runoff. Local and state emergency management and public health are monitoring the situation and will update the public if conditions change.

Exposure to both water and sediment is not expected to harm human health during typical recreational exposure.

Tips for River Users:

• It is always a good public health practice to wash with soap and water after exposure to untreated river water or sediment.

• As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that river users avoid extended contact with visibly discolored sediment or river water.

• Because children sometimes ingest water and soil when playing in or around the river, they should be supervised closely to limit their exposure to untreated water or sediments.

• When using any river or stream as water source be sure to properly treat water before consumption.

• Rinsing fishing and boating equipment after each use is always a good practice.

To sign up to receive emergency notifications if conditions change please visit http://www.co.laplata.co.us/emergency.

For any questions or concerns, please call San Juan Basin Health at 970-335-2044.

San Juan Basin Health is a local public health agency, governed by a seven member local Board of Health, serving all residents of La Plata and Archuleta counties. For over 60 years, San Juan Basin Health has improved the health and environment of the Southwest Colorado community.

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Station 6 Open House - Saturday, April 23 12p - 4p

Please come and join us for an open house at Station 6, near Trimble Hot Springs.  Food, fun, Fire Trucks and more.

Brush Fire on CR 250

DFPD is currently working to suppress a small brush-fire on the 8000 block of CR 250

Current Information:

No structures threatened

2 Properties involved

Predominantly Brush/Grass

½ Acre in size

Winds have calmed and the fire is burning towards an active irrigation ditch which will aid in suppression

            Responded: Medic 15, Brush 31, Brush 2, Tanker 6, Engine 15, 11 personnel

Preliminary investigation shows this to be an agricultural fire.