While I still caution you to be mindful of the local community and emergency services personnel, the River is now open again. Also, please be mindful of an Ever-Changing river environment- that can change minute to minute, not just day to day. Be cautious about floating debris and be aware the water may contain toxic and/or harmful chemicals and bio-hazards (think septic system contents). Be safe and keep an eye out for each other!

Larimer County Sheriff Full Announcement:

After continual review and analysis of the risks and contents of the debris field in and around the Poudre River, Sheriff Smith is lifting use restrictions on the river for all areas below Rustic effective immediately. River use above Rustic will remain restricted until it is safe to remove them.

All evacuation orders in the Poudre Canyon have been lifted and residents may return to their properties.

A vehicle was recovered from the river today but it was not occupied. The three adults are still missing. The search will continue Friday morning with reduced resources.

As restrictions are lifted, we encourage those entering the canyon to be mindful of the weather and river status during their visit. The forecast calls for more thunderstorm activity and conditions can change very rapidly. Let someone know where you’re going. If you see water rising, climb to the highest ground you can reach.

Total personnel Today: 45

Total personnel Yesterday: 50

Agencies involved: Larimer County Dive Rescue Team, Larimer County Search and Rescue, Emergency Services IA Module, LCSO Drone Team, UCHealth TEMS, Patrol and Reserves, US Forest Service, Poudre Canyon Fire. On Tuesday night Poudre Fire, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, CDOT, and the Larimer County Regional AH/CR Team also assisted.

Be respectful, stay out of the way of emergency crews, and understand there are multiple unknown hazards, in addition to the known hazards floating down the River. These hazards include, but are not limited to, structures and portions of structures (at least 5 whole houses washed into the river), septic tanks and fields, propane tanks (unknown fuel levels) and all of the contents of the homes, sheds and garages and vehicles. Don’t be “that guy” and find another place to play throughout the remainder of the weekend. Additionally, the Forest Service has closed all campgrounds in the affected area.

Official Statement From Larimer County Sheriff yesterday:

Effective immediately, the Poudre River is being closed for all use by order of the Sheriff. This restriction is in place from the Fish Hatchery to the mouth of the canyon.

The “Use Restrictions” come under the authority of CRS 33-13-11 and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Rule #217.

This restriction applies to all watercraft craft and the restrictions are being imposed in response to disaster relief and debris removal relating to the flooding and mudslides into the Poudre River near the Black Hollow Road bridge that occurred on July 20. We are actively working to recover one victim from the river and searching for at least two others. Under the direction of Larimer County Emergency Management, engineering crews will be assessing the structural integrity of bridges below the slide area as a tremendous amount of debris (trees, mud, rocks and structures) has been washed into the river and we do not know what hazards exist currently and may arise as water continues to flow. We also have forecasts for more potential flooding in the coming days.

We anticipate these restrictions will likely last through the weekend. We will assess and adjust as conditions warrant.

We are imposing these restrictions for the safety of the public as well as the safety of responders in the area. Violations of these restrictions are a Class 2 Petty Offense under state law.

This is a great day to skip a trip to the Canyon!

Black as night, and full of debris. The Canyon is closed to non-residents. I am not sure if that includes the Commercial outfits. There is another expected rain event for today, with anticipated flash flooding, again. And we know we are missing two people, with a possible third MIA. So, basically, the River is off limits today. Please be respectful and best wishes to the families of the people who are missing.

Might be as low as 1.75, but I will go with 1.8 today. And sorry for the absence… had a funeral to attend back in the St. Louis area. Anyway, moving on…

Currently 60˚F and hazy (get used to that, fires are getting closer)
Location: Rustic
Last Update: Jul 20, 2021 7:43 AM
Stage: 1.89 Feet; Flow: 454.6 Cubic Feet per Second

Location: Hewlett Gulch Bridge
Last Update: Jul 20, 2021 7:58 AM
Stage: 2.74 Feet; Flow: 331.3 Cubic Feet per Second

Location: Poudre River @ Mouth
Last Update: Jul 20, 2021 7:42 AM
Stage: 3.42 Feet; Flow: 247 Cubic Feet per Second

Location: Lions Park
Last Update: Jul 20, 2021 8:03 AM
Stage: 2.27 Feet; Flow: 128.7 Cubic Feet per Second

Location: Lincoln @ Poudre River
Last Update: Jul 18, 2021 8:38 PM
Stage: 1.01 Feet; Flow: 42.4 Cubic Feet per Second

Today’s Wx: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Patchy smoke. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Light southeast wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. South southwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming west northwest after midnight.

Location: Rustic
Last Update: Jul 16, 2021 7:17 AM
Stage: 1.95 Feet; Flow: 476 Cubic Feet per Second

Location: Hewlett Gulch Bridge
Last Update: Jul 16, 2021 7:01 AM
Stage: 2.93 Feet; Flow: 460.2 Cubic Feet per Second

Location: Poudre River @ Mouth
Last Update: Jul 16, 2021 7:18 AM
Stage: 3.57 Feet; Flow: 326 Cubic Feet per Second

Location: Lions Park
Last Update: Jul 16, 2021 7:24 AM
Stage: 2.2 Feet; Flow: 113.3 Cubic Feet per Second

Location: Old Town
Last Update: Jul 11, 2021 9:48 AM
Stage: 1.16 Feet; Flow: 58 Cubic Feet per Second

Today’s Expected Wx: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 86. West northwest wind 6 to 9 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.

Tonight: A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. West wind 5 to 8 mph.