Flood Warnings

Spring Flood Threats 

Spring is typically the time of year that we need to most concern ourselves with the possibility of flooding. Over the past several years, the City of Wheat Ridge and the Urban Drainage and Flood Control District have combined efforts to reduce the threat of serious flooding in the Wheat Ridge area. Unfortunately, the flood threat for certain areas of our community cannot be eliminated. Therefore, it is important to be aware of particular threats in these areas, and of the flood warning system the city has in place.

Lean Gulch Waterway 

Two primary waterways flow through the city. Lena Gulch is located in the southwest quadrant of the city. It flows from the Maple Grove dam located near W. 26th Ave. and Vivian Street to the northeast where it eventually merges with Clear Creek near W. 41st Ave. and Kipling.

Much of the flood control work completed by the city and Urban Drainage reduced the flood threat from this waterway in all but the worse circumstances. Citizens living downstream from the Maple Grove Reservoir have the greatest potential risk to their property from a major discharge from the spillway or failure of the dam.

Clear Creek Waterway 

The second waterway, Clear Creek, enters the city from the west and flows east along the northern third of the city, paralleling I-70 for much of the way through Wheat Ridge. The city has developed an open space park, the Clear Creek greenbelt, along this waterway.

There are also numerous homes and businesses located in the Clear Creek floodplain. Severe weather in the foothills of Jefferson county just south and west of both Clear Creek and Lena Gulch can have a disastrous impact on flooding these waterways.