Too much, after too little, for too long

1935 Memorial Day rainfall amounts among 

the most intense ever recorded on Earth

By Rob Carrigan, robcarrigan1@gmail.com

It's been nearly nine decades, but many homes were swept away by a raging torrent that swirled down Monument Creek that afternoon.

"It would appear that the most extreme rainfall event on record in Colorado was that of May 30-31, 1935. In an event that strains credulity, an astonishing 24” of rain fell in six hours (22.80” of which fell in just four hours) at two locations in eastern Colorado on the afternoon and evening of May 30, 1935. The amounts were recorded at two remote sites located about a hundred miles apart, Gauge #Sec. 34, T9S, R564W was located about 25 miles northeast of Colorado Springs, and Gauge #AB Sec. 26, T5S, R55W, just north of Burlington, near the Kansas border, according to Christopher C. Burt of the Weather Underground.

"Two feet of rainfall in less than six hours would be close to the most intense such fall ever recorded anywhere on earth. Furthermore, unlike most other rainfall records of this intensity, the rain occurred over flat terrain in a non-tropical environment. In fact, this region of Colorado normally receives only 16–18” of rain annually. The figures, however, appear to be accurate since there were three separate readings over a 100-mile area. In addition, an official weather observer in Seibert recorded 9” of rain in two hours." 

The Weather Bureau’s Climatological Data, Colorado Section, May, 1935, reported the following in the Monthly Review:

"On the 30th, excessive local downpours occurred in the vicinity of Colorado Springs and along the northern slope of the Arkansas-Platte Divide. Four lives were lost and a total estimated property damage of $1,800,000 [about $20 million adjusted for current dollars] occurred along Monument Creek and Fountain Creek in Colorado Springs and vicinity. At the height of the flood, skies over extreme eastern counties (where the phenomenal rainfalls were recorded) were a chocolate brown. This was due to a most unusual situation. Along the Colorado-Kansas border there was a heavy dust storm. Clouds of dust could be seen for miles, while to the west torrents of floodwater roared, and at Bovina, hailstones, some as large as baseballs, were reported to have fallen. The coppery-hued sky cast a brown shadow, giving the scene a weird appearance."

In the end, at least 21 people were killed (and probably quite a few more) in floods statewide, and property damage totaled between $8 and $10 million (about $100 million in current dollars), ranking this event as one of the costliest disasters in Colorado history. Combined with damage and fatalities in Nebraska and Kansas the storm may actually have killed 113 and caused $800 million (1997 adjusted) in damages according to the account below.

But it had been so dry.  From 1934 to 1937...The Dust Bowl years for Colorado and the midwest, numerous farmers and cattlemen put out of business. Blowing dirt and dust over the region closed roads and made moving around and breathing hard. Many aircraft were grounded due to blowing dust, and radio communication was nearly impossible.

Then in 1935, May 31.. Memorial Day flood on Monument Creek in Colorado Springs kills more than 21 people and washes away bridges and buildings in downtown.

"In the midst of a drought, during the devastation of the dustbowl in southeastern Colorado, a storm pushed from the northeast against the Rampart Range and dropped over 7” of rain on Memorial Day, 1935. A massively destructive flood hit Colorado Springs and El Paso County. Monument and Fountain Creeks overflowed their banks, destroying 70 houses and killing at least six people. In Monument Creek, that today averages around 20 cubic feet per second (cfs) flow (with peaks up to 1,500 cfs), water reached close to 50,000 cfs. Witnesses reported 10 to 15 foot waves. Every bridge over Monument Creek was washed out, with the exception of the viaduct at Bijou Street. The Eight Street bridge over Fountain Creek was damaged, but remained open to one car at a time and provided the only connection between the city and the Broadmoor and Ivywild neighborhoods. In addition to the loss of city bridges, 47 bridges in rural El Paso County were heavily damaged. Railroad and highway connections outside of the city were cut off. Sewer lines were busted, the electricity and power plants flooded, and three miles of the El Paso Canal washed out. Hard hit was Monument Valley Park, the jewel of the city park system since 1907. Where once were charming gardens, winding walks, and water features with picturesque bridges now lay uprooted trees, gravel, mud, and debris. Damage was estimated at over $1.7 million," says a recent report by Dr. John Harner, Professor of Geography & Environmental Studies, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

"Fortunately, depression-era Works Progress Administration programs were already established in the city building roads in Pike National Forest and erosion control projects in Palmer Park. These crews quickly went to work to rehabilitate and rebuild Monument Valley Park. The Monument Creek floodplain was widened and straightened, with riprap installed to slow down water and walls lining the creek. For the next six years, hundreds worked to rebuild the park and the city bridges. While flood control improvements were necessary, sixty-five acres of land previously used for park recreation was reallocated into the inaccessible floodplain, reducing the amount of usable park space," writes Harner.