Precious Water in Rocky Mountain National Park

Water, Ditches, Dams & Floods, The 1982 Lawn Lake Flood

This book describes the water resources of Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as the historical ditches, dams and floods in the Park and adjacent areas. The devastating Colorado Big-Thompson Flood of 1976 is summarized. The Lawn Lake Flood of 1982 and its aftermath is discussed in detail. The 2013 Front Range Floods in Colorado are detailed with an emphasis on the area adjacent to Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). The removal or repair of deteriorating historical dams in the Park following the Lawn Lake Flood, and the restoration of the natural lake ecosystems at these sites is discussed. The author describes his hikes to four of the restored lakes, and the interpretive efforts to educate the visitor about the Lawn Lake Flood at the site of the alluvial fan in Horseshoe Park. Finally, the author summarizes the visitor impacts on the Park with overcrowding, and the demands of a growing Front Range population on the water resources of the area.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Water Resources

Historical dams, ditches and diversions

2013 Front Range Floods in Colorado

The Colorado Big Thompson Flood of 1976

The Lawn Lake Flood

Ecological restoration

Nonfiction > History > North America Nonfiction > Nature > Natural Disasters