Wind and Rain in the Northeast; Atmospheric River to Impact the West

A cold front will cross the Great Lakes and Northeast U.S. through today with gusty winds and areas of rain showers. A strong atmospheric river is then expected to move into the Northwest by midweek bringing a threat for moderate to heavy rainfall and flooding, gusty winds, and mountain snows for parts of Washington, Oregon, northern California, and the Sierra Nevada. Read More >

Significant rain fell across northeastern Colorado between September 9-16, 2013 (image to left shows totals). This rain fell over the headwaters of the South Platte River Basin near Boulder, Colorado. As a result, record flooding occurred in Colorado and western Nebraska along the South Platte and Platte river. Between September 21-28, 2013, minor flooding worked eastward into roughly the western half of the NWS Hastings coverage area, and even lingered into early October in a few places.

The following link from NWS Boulder, CO describes in more detail the event that
resulted in this record rainfall in Colorado:

September 2013 Floods

Below is more information about the basin that feeds into South Platte River, which meets up with the North Platte River just east of North Platte, Nebraska, then becoming the Platte River through the remainder of Nebraska.

Then follows information about each of the river gages along the Platte that affect South Central Nebraska, located near Cozad and Overton in Dawson County, Kearney in Buffalo County and Grand Island in Hall County. A hydrograph showing the rise and fall of each gage as the water passed is shown, as well as "before and after" photos.

South Platte River Basin

Platte River Gage @ Cozad


Minor flood stage is 6.5 ft. (orange line on hydrograph)


Before: near Cozad - 9/20/13: North Channel looking west	After: near Cozad - 9/24/13: North Channel looking west

Before: Near Cozad - 9/20/13: South Channel looking west	After: Near Cozad - 9/23/13: South Channel looking west