LAKE CITY, Colorado — Despite recent flooding concerns, the town of Lake City in Hinsdale County is open and ready for the summer, according to a post on the Hinsdale County Office of Emergency Facebook page.
The water is still running high and fast, but the threat of flooding has decreased significantly through work in the backcountry, the post said.
Portions of the Alpine Loop are still closed as debris removal and snow clearing continues, but many campgrounds, trails and fishing spots are open. Restaurants and stores are open, and summer events are on schedule in Lake City.
Anyone who visits over the next few weeks will see sandbags around town. They're also encouraged to stay informed by downloading the CodeRED app on their phones.
The Colorado Department of Natural Resources was tasked with evaluating dam safety. With local partners, they determined that the Ute-Ulay dam did not pose a significant risk, but said the Hidden Treasure dam had the potential to become blocked, hold water, and then fail, creating a substantial debris flow.
They recommended that the dam be removed, however as contractors began deconstruction, they determined that the risk could be mitigated while preserving a portion of the historic Hidden Treasure dam for future generations.
As a result of the emergency, the Town and County devised a public warning system using automated cell phone and landline notifications, and door to door notification by governmental personnel, the Facebook post said
A warning siren with voice messaging capability has been installed in the Town of Lake City, and a second warning siren will soon be erected to supplement the system.
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