Last week, the Little Colorado River experienced alarming increases in water levels due to heavy rainfall last Wednesday and Thursday.
As of noon on Wednesday, the river near Winslow was just under 14 feet high, but within 24 hours, it had risen to just over 22 feet. The United States Geological Survey warned that when the river’s height reaches 25 feet, it is considered major flooding and residents should have a plan of action in case of the worst.
Water levels have returned to being on the high end of normal and no further issues are expected. Flooding impacted much of Navajo County last week, prompting safety advisories for Show Low residents due to rising water levels of Show Low Creek. Additionally, a local couple’s vehicle was swept away by floodwater in the Heber area, resulting in the death of a 64-year-old woman as a result of the incident.
To stay safe in case of flooding please visit Navajo County’s Ready Set Go, emergency preparedness guidelines on the county’s website at navajocounty.gov.
Arizona has experienced an unusually wet winter, which is starting to compound as spring begins and snow on the mountains starts to melt. This flood not only posed a significant danger but also broke records for the Little Colorado River in Winslow. The National Weather Service reported that the previous record of just over 20 feet was set in December 2004, but was overtaken by last Wednesday’s 22-foot river height.
On the same day, the Verde River above Horseshoe Dam also broke its record at 25 feet in height.
The City of Winslow is currently seeking funding to rebuild its levee that was decertified in 2008, in order to mitigate the effects and risks associated with living so close to such an unpredictable river. This $100 million project is almost fully funded after allocations from the Army Corp of Engineers and Navajo County. All that remains is for the bills passed in both the Arizona house and senate to be officially allocated in the budget, and then the project can proceed full steam ahead. This week’s flooding could impact the timeline for the city receiving the necessary funding, as the current conditions have provided a clear example of why the city has chosen to prioritize the project over the last few years.
