Posts tagged Fourmile Canyon Drive
Transportation Department hosting Fourmile Link welcoming event on Sunday
Jul 12th
Boulder County, Colo. – Following today’s grand opening of the Fourmile Link Trail at Betasso Preserve, the Boulder County Transportation Department is preparing for increased bicycle traffic on Fourmile Canyon Drive and will be hosting a welcoming event this Sunday.
What: The Boulder County Transportation Department will provide fruit, snacks, cool water and share-the-road materials for cyclists
When: Sunday, July 15 starting at 7:30 a.m.
Where: Near the end of the Boulder Creek Path close to the intersection of Boulder Canyon and Fourmile Canyon drives
Why:
- Additional bicycle traffic is expected on Fourmile Canyon Drive between the end of the Boulder Creek Path and the newly opened Fourmile Link Trail at Betasso preserve, especially on Sundays
- Fourmile Canyon Drive does not have bikeable shoulders and both automobiles and bicyclists are expected to share the road
- Bicyclists are encouraged to transition to single-file riding when cars are present and/or when riding around curves
- Motorists are encouraged to pass bicyclists with care, providing three feet of separation
- Motorists are encouraged slow down and wait for the next safe passing opportunity if there is oncoming traffic or a curve approaching
- Courtesy is contagious! Being patient and respectful ensures that both motorists and cyclists reach their destinations safely
Additional info:
- It is approximately 1.25 miles up Fourmile Canyon Drive from the end of the Boulder Creek Path to the start of the Fourmile Link Trail
- Betasso Preserve trails prohibit bicycles on Wednesdays and Saturdays
- The Fourmile Link Trail is 0.8 miles long and connects the Benjamin Loop with Fourmile Canyon Drive
For more information please contact Bicycle Planner Brian Graham at 720-564-2667 or bgraham@bouldercounty.org.
Flash flood warning in Fourmile Canyon:#boulderflood VIDEO OEM Updates
Jul 8th
It was continuing to rain. The slides get larger as you continue past mile marker 8. Even in our 4 wheel drive TV production SUV we could only make it to the second slide. The command center gave us an escort from Four Mile Fire department. We had to have a radio person with us in case it slid again and we got caught up in a slide.
Initially, a Boulder County Sheriff deputy came up on the slides during the down pour at around 6:00pm. He told us it was all he could do to drive out in his Sheriffs big SUV Chevy.
Four Mile fire chief said that a large amount of the slide had hung up about 50 feet up the hill on a rock out cropping. There was some concern that it would slide again on into the night as the rains continued.
Four Mile Fire was on the scene and stationed through out the canyon to watch for more slides. A large road grader was pushing dirt and a front end loader and 10 Wheel dump truck were working the larger slides.
The hope is to get the road opened by morning. The concern is that it will keep raining and cause major slides.
Flash flood warning in Fourmile Canyon in effect until 9:15 p.m.
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder Canyon and the Fourmile Canyon areas are under a National Weather Service Flash Flood Warning until 9:15 tonight. The fire protection districts and communities in the Fourmile Canyon Fire burn area are on high alert and closely monitoring events and responding to hazardous conditions.
Heavy rainfall occurred in the canyons around 6 p.m., and the Fourmile Creek reached peak flow around 7 p.m., but the creek did not overbank. Creek flows are now receding and water levels are dropping in the Fourmile Creek and Boulder Creek in Boulder Canyon.
Fourmile Canyon Drive is closed to travel due to mud, rock and debris flows between blocks 5900 and 8000 (Wall St. area). Lefthand Canyon and other roads in the area have had minor rock slides, but are passable. Motorists are urged to use caution on all roadways impacted by water flows and rock slides.
Sheriff’s deputies and emergency services personnel are on patrol in the Fourmile Canyon and Lefthand Canyon areas. They are checking creek water levels and monitoring the passage of roads. The Boulder Emergency Operations Center has been activated and continues to monitor weather, road and community conditions.
Reverse notification messages were sent to approximately 300 residences telling them to remain on alert and be prepared to seek higher ground.
10:30 p.m. – EOC deactivating; severe weather clearing out of area
The storm systems are tracking to the south and the risk appears to be low for the Fourmile Area, but not completely gone. Storms are expected to continue all night with diminished intensity and a southerly track. The flash flood warning has ended and all residents have returned to homes.
Another everbridge was sent to advise residents that the flash flood warning has expired but to remain vigilant due to weather still in the area. The only road closure presently is west of Emerson Gulch (off Fourmile Canyon Dr.) and is 4 feet deep and 100 yards wide. County road crews are building an emergency access through it and will go to work on removal of debris tomorrow.
The Emergency Operations Center will deactivate at 10:30 p.m
7/7 – 9:12 p.m. – Crews On Scene Clearing Roads
7/7 – 9:12 p.m. – County road maintenance crews are on scene with plows and road graders clearing the rock slides and debris flows. The goal is to get one passable lane in Fourmile Canyon tonight and go back tomorrow to widen the road.
7/7 – 8:39 p.m – Damage Assesment
7/7 – 8:39 p.m. – There are no reports of structure or infrastructure damage, other than debris flows on roads in the Fourmile area. Electricity and phones are working. No injuries have been reported.
7/7 – 8:30 p.m. – Downstream Impacts
Levels in Boulder Creek have peaked and are receding. Underpasses could be flooded. Some street flooding, but no imminent danger to City of Boulder. Use caution on roads and paths.
7/7 – 8:15 p.m. – Road Closure Update
7/7 – 8:15 p.m. – Fourmile Canyon still closed between 5900 and 8000 blocks (Wall Street area). Gold Run, Gold Hill and Lickskillit are open. Lefthand Canyon and Boulder Canyon have some rocks on the road, but are passable.
7/7 – 8:07 pm. – Assessment of Area
7/7 – 8:07 p.m. – Sheriff’s deputies are in the Fourmile and Lefthand Canyon area. They are checking creek water levels and the passability of roads.
7/7 – 8 p.m. Reverse Notification Sent
Reverse notification messages and phone calls sent to approximately 300 residences telling them to remain on alert and be prepared to seek higher ground. The National Weather Service has a flash flood warning in effect until 9:15 p.m.
Road Closures
7/7 – 7:51 p.m. – Fourmile is closed at 5900 block. Traffic westbound needs to find an alternate route. There are rock slides in Lefthand Canyon and Boulder Canyon, but they are passable. Please use caution when on these roads. County road crews and Colorado State Patrol enroute to assess and clear.
Lefthand Canyon has some minor rock slides. Roads are passable, but use caution.
7/7 7 p.m. – Flash Flood Warning in Fourmile Burn Area
A Flash Flood Warning is in effect in the Fourmile Burn Area. Intense storms are expected to continue moving through the area.
Fourmile Canyon Fire aerial mulching to begin Thursday, April 7 (weather permitting)
Apr 5th
Aerial mulching treatments will consist of certified weed-free straw and WoodStrawÓ being dropped in pre-determined areas from helicopters. Target areas were determined by a set of criteria that includes slope, burn severity, flood/debris flow risk, and values downstream (including human life, safety and property). In total, approximately 1,960 acres will be aerially mulched inside the fire boundary.
Aerial operations will begin on April 7 (weather permitting) in the vicinity of Sugarloaf Road and Fourmile Canyon Drive and move to areas within Sunshine Canyon on or after April 12. Flights will operate for about two weeks (up until April 23) depending on weather conditions throughout the mulching period.
Helicopters will be flying during daylight hours only beginning as early as 7 a.m., and residents can expect temporary road closures as helicopters fly overhead. Additionally, heavy truck equipment will be used in the vicinity of Sugarloaf Road and Sunshine Canyon to deliver straw and support equipment for the aerial flights.
Hand seeding is taking place along roads and driveways in areas that were moderately to severely burned, and with less than 60 percent slope. Roads and driveways are targeted because vehicles are a common way that weed seeds are transported. In total, approximately 500 acres will be seeded utilizing the help of volunteers.
Call the Fourmile Rehabilitation Hotline at 303-413-7010 for the latest updates on seeding and aerial mulching activities. Message boards or flaggers will be located in the vicinity of work being performed to alert residents of any delays or modifications to traffic patterns.
Safety issues
Due to safety regulations and FAA requirements, no one can be in the immediate areas where mulch is being dropped.
Residents and workers in the mulching areas for Gold Hill, Four Mile Canyon, Sugar Loaf and Sunshine Canyon will be asked to leave the area for the day, and bring in pets/livestock while their specific block or neighborhood is being mulched.
Boulder County Sheriff’s patrols will be active in the area to maintain public safety for the duration of the treatments. The Sheriff’s Office asks everyone to be mindful of the following privacy and public safety rules:
- Motorists must not block traffic on any public right of way.
- Everyone must stay at least 200 feet outside of the perimeter of active aerial mulching treatment areas at all times so as not to impede operations.
- No trespassing is allowed on private property including driveways, turn-offs, private roads or other private property.
- Cyclists are asked to avoid Sugarloaf Road, Fourmile Canyon Drive, and Sunshine Canyon Drive while helicopter flights are occurring (April 7-23).
Information resources
For additional information and maps showing the treatment areas go to: www.bouldercounty.org/fourmilefire.