By Shannon Lukens.
Courtesy Elkhead Creek Ranch
Blizzard ground conditions and a possible snow squall caused a closure of Hwy 40 between Craig and Maybell Sunday morning. Moffat County Sheriff’s Officers had to help about five motorists to safety. Others turned around and waited out the storm. All roads from Hwy 40 through Walden, and then Granby to the Wyoming border were also closed Sunday due to safety concerns from the weather.
Video of Hwy 40 from Moffat County Sheriff Officer Chip McIntyre
Video of a snow squall at Elkhead Creek Ranch
Some flights into Yampa Valley Regional Airport on Sunday were affected from the snowy weather and gusty winds. Flights from Newark and Dallas are expected to arrive today when they couldn’t get here Sunday. An Atlanta flight was diverted to Grand Junction and scheduled to arrive four hours late. A Boston flight was scheduled to arrive three hours late.
The cold and deep frost likely caused a valve to fail in the city’s water system Saturday night which resulted in a big water main break. It was along the Core Trial behind the Steamboat Springs Community Center. Residents and businesses between downtown and the Steamboat Springs airport didn’t have water.
That caused another break in the system on Sunday in the Blue Sage area of Steamboat Springs because of something called a water hammer. Here’s Michelle Carr with the water department.
“That likely sent what’s called a ‘water hammer’ through the water distribution system, that’s basically a large vibration that will go through a good part of the system. And if there were any water mains that had any sort of minor flaw or minor cracks in it, that likely exacerbated those cracks and that’s likely what’s causing these additional breaks right now.”
The water department asks that you keep an eye out for more possible water breaks and call Routt County dispatch right away if you see one.
“If anybody sees any water running outside that hasn’t been there before, please call Routt County dispatch and let them know where that water running is located so that we can address it as soon as possible.”
Routt County Dispatch is 970-879-1144.
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS IS EXPERIENCING A WATER HAMMER
Video of water break behind Community Center courtesy Steamboat Water
Video of work being done on Blue Sage
The Parks and Wildlife Commission has released final guidance and revisions on the Draft Wolf Restoration and Management Plan to Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff. One revision is to raise the cap on livestock compensation to $15,000 per animal. That includes guard and herding animals. U.S. Fish and Wildlife has four public meetings planned about the 10J Rule which has to do with lethal management. One meeting is at the Pavilion at the Moffat County Fairgrounds in Craig on March 15. The other meeting is at the Wattenburg Center in Walden the next day, on March 16. Both meetings are at 5:30 p.m.
COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION RELEASES WOLF REINTRODUCTION MEETING RECAP
Fishing licenses are available through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Apply now through the CPW website and the fishing license will be good through the end of March next year.
COLORADO FISHING LICENSES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE YEAR
The Steamboat Sailors Hockey Team ended their season over the weekend with a tough loss to Cheyenne Mountain in the Frozen Four of the CHSAA 4A State Championships.
Check out what’s happening in the Yampa Valley on the Community Calendar.
For the KRAI Time, Temp, and Weather Hotline, call 970-824-1918.