NWS ABQ - 2013 September Flooding-San Miguel 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)
Las Vegas 8.4 NW (CoCoRaHS)	9.78
Las Vegas 12.1 W (CoCoRaHS)	9.74
Las Vegas 10.3 N (CoCoRaHS)	9.27
Las Vegas 4.6 SSW (CoCoRaHS)	8.10
Las Vegas 2.6 SE (CoCoRaHS)	7.49
Rociada 5.6 E (CoCoRaHS)	7.04
Pecos (RAWS)	6.45
Sapello 5.1 WNW (CoCoRaHS)	6.45
Las Vegas Airport (ASOS)	6.24
Mosquero 15 SSE (CoCoRaHS)	4.32

Impact Summary

Location	Date	Summary
Near Sabinoso	09/11/2013	NM 419 closed from mile markers 0 to 47 due to flooding of roadway.
Las Vegas	09/13/2013	Major flooding along Gallina Creek near Las Vegas. Evacuations ordered for areas along river from Montezuma east to Las Vegas. A major breach occurred on the Storrie Lake Diversion Channel and crews are working to restore channel. Estimated one year supply of water storage capacity lost for drinking water due to breach. A Red Cross shelter was established at Robertson High School. An elderly couple was rescued overnight by the National Guard from the Pine Camp area. NM 283 was closed west of Las Vegas. Sink hole reported near South Diversion River Crossing Catwalk with damage to waste water components. A couple homes and numerous vehicles and roadways damaged. A bridge on CR-A1 near Sapello was closed due to high water. A total of 1,040 structures were damaged in this multi-day event.
Near Pecos	09/13/2013	Pecos River breached banks in Pecos Canyon. NM 63 north of Pecos flooded and closed. Creek behind residences rising fast and evacuations possible.

Hydrologic Summary

The Canadian River near Sanchez crested at 13.05 feet (10,000 cfs) at 315am MDT September 16, 2013. This is now the 17th highest crest observed at this location. This event compares to a previous crest of 13.65 feet on August 10, 1951 and 12.79 feet on August 23, 1984. The record crest is 36.6 feet set back on June 18, 1965. No significant flooding was observed immediately along the Canadian River however several nearby creeks and arroyos leading into this basin produced some flooding. Action stage is 21 feet, minor flood stage 22 feet, moderate flood stage 26 feet, and major flood stage 30 feet.