Floodwaters Still Causing Problems For Homeowners In Boulder

BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) - Months after the historic rain stopped floodwaters are still causing problems for homeowners in Boulder.

The groundwater level is now at an all-time high. Basements in some areas of town could be at risk of flooding all over again.

At Dennis Gallagher's home it's not a trickle of water that over time would sneak into the basement and cause problems, it's thousands of gallons a day. The family has two sump pumps running all day long. If they didn't all of the water would be in their basement.

Gallagher and his family started pumping water out of their basement back in September.

"It was about 16 inches of water when it hit," he said.

Now, five months after flood waters hit they are still pumping water.

"Here it is late January and it flooded in September, and this just hasn't subsided," Gallagher said. "There's no groundwater or pooling water or creeks nearby here, so the flood continues."

Gallagher says 24 hours a day, seven days a week the pipe is running a steady stream of water out from underneath their home.

"It's a lot of water. I don't how many swimming pools we could've filled up, but 30 gallons a minute 24 hours a day is a lot of water to be pumping."

Gallagher went to the city when the water didn't slow down.

"I've heard from the city they are aware that the groundwater levels are very high," he said. "But these levels are just alarming to me five months after a storm … it's basically a little creek."

The city says the massive amount of rain last fall and now saturated soil is causing problems for a number of Boulder residents. But they say any problems with groundwater flooding is left up to homeowners to control.

Gallagher is doing the best he can for now but worries things will only get worse.

"I'm just worried about the spring run-off coming here in a few months and adding to this."

The city says it's not just Gallagher who needs to worry about spring runoff but everyone should be aware of the high groundwater levels this year. They recommend having an expert take a look at sump pumps and planning ahead for more water than usual.

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