Museum Cleared Out, Dam To Be Removed Ahead Of Dangerous Flooding
HINSDALE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - Emergency crews are racing the clock in Hinsdale County. They are trying to prevent disaster from avalanche debris and flooding.
Volunteers in Lake City are clearing out the collections in the county's museum and moving them for safekeeping. Crews are also removing the historic Hidden Treasure Dam because of the potential risk it poses.
An advisory group and dam owners agreed saying the dam would likely not survive the strong spring runoff, and the removal would avoid debris flowing into the community.
Contractors with excavators are working to clear snow/ice/debris slides covering Henson Creek along Hinsdale County Road 20. These pictures were taken this morning at the Klondike Slide, six miles above the town of Lake City. Clearing ice and debris now, decreases the chances of the stream being blocked later, when spring runoff is at its peak. A blockage on Henson Creek would not just impact this popular jeep road, but could unleash a destructive rush of water downstream if that debris dam suddenly fails. Get the latest on the flooding potential and flood preparation at a community meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in the Armory in Lake City. That is an hour later than originally scheduled. We do plan on streaming it live here on Facebook. #hinsdalecountyprep Hinsdale County Office of Emergency Management
Posted by Hinsdale County, Colorado on Tuesday, May 28, 2019
The dam dates back to the 1890s when both the Hidden Treasure and Hard Tack mines were operating, officials say.
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