NWS ABQ 2013 September Flooding-San Juan County

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Rainfall Summary: September 10-18, 2013

The table below is a comprehensive list of the more significant precipitation reports that were received for the 9-day event period.

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Location (source)	Precipitation Total (in)
Aztec Ruins (COOP)	2.68
Bloomfield 4.1 SW (CoCoRaHS)	2.34
Farmington 3.4 WSW (CoCoRaHS)	2.33
Farmington (COOP)	2.26
Farmington 0.6 NNW (CoCoRaHS)	2.18
Farmington Airport (ASOS)	2.02
Farmington 10.1 N (CoCoRaHS)	1.78
Albino Canyon (RAWS)	1.71
Bloomfield 3 SE (COOP)	1.18
Narbona Pass (RAWS)	1.10
Chaco Culture Center (HCN)	1.04

Impact Summary

Location	Date	Summary
Farmington	09/10/2013	Widespread flash flooding was observed in Farmington. Numerous crashes and stalled vehicles were stranded in flood waters. Several flooded and damaged drainage systems along Peace Valley Road, Hubbard Road, East Navajo Street, Main Street, Butler Street, Apache Street, and San Juan Boulevard caused widespread flooding of parking lots, low lying areas, homes and businesses. Mud, rocks, and debris flows were reported at Webb Chevrolet, KFC, Si Senors, Taco Bell, and Park-n-Sell.
Near Fruitland	09/10/2013	A 50-yard section of NM 36 was washed over and partially destroyed from several feet of water, rocks, mud, and debris.
Near Shiprock	09/10/2013	Tropical funnel cloud touched ground for a couple minutes near Shiprock. Location and time determined from radar imagery and photos sent from print media and a NWS family relative. No damage reported.
Near Fruitland	09/13/2013	N 562 Road in Fruitland was completely undermined and affected nearly 300 residences. Area completely isolated. A 72 inch pipe was damaged by flood water. N 36 highway also damaged.

Hydrologic Summary

The Animas River at Farmington crested at 8.5 feet (5,620 cfs) at 200am MDT September 13, 2013. This is now the 17th highest crest observed at this location and compares to a previous crest of 9.15 feet on May 21, 2008 and 8.06 feet on May 17, 2001. The record crest is 16.5 feet set back on October 6, 1911. No significant flooding was observed along the Animas River, however several creeks and arroyos leading into this basin experienced flooding. Action stage is 9 feet, minor flood stage 10 feet, moderate flood stage 12 feet, and major flood stage 14 feet.

The San Juan River at Farmington crested at 6.96 feet (11,300 cfs) at 200am MDT September 13, 2013. This crest is now the 14th highest on record for this location and compares to a previous crest of 7.2 feet on June 19, 1949 and 6.94 feet on June 17, 1993. The record crest is 12.3 feet set back on September 6, 1909. No significant flooding was observed along the San Juan River, however several creeks and arroyos leading into this basin experienced flooding. Action stage is 7 feet , minor flood stage 8.5 feet, moderate stage 10 feet, and major stage 12 feet.

Photos

Flooding started in the Northwest corner of the state on September 10th. Several roads in Farmington were closed due to flood waters.