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Show June 2, 1995 JpO'--U By Cross Currents - d O Rl E'S Floods were devastating Marilu :R -- G'0: R: N- - E: Snowpack R-S'-- RI - E- Wayboum in the Colorado is well above normal and the Animas is River already rolling along in force. Since the river is expected to throw its weight around this year, lets take a look back at some times of high water in the past. Shortly after the turn of the century there were three floods in quick succession -- - 1905, 1909 and 1911 -- - each more devastating than the last. In 1905 flood waters of the Animas, San Juan and La Plata rivers joined together in such force that the town of Olio washed out. Many pioneers homes were washed away, and all the lowlands flooded. After the flood Olio settlers built on higher ground in todays Kirtland (west of Farmington). September 1909 again brought high water and devastating floods. Directors for the San Juan County (New Mexico) Fair had purchased new lumber to improve the fairgrounds at Blacklocks grove. As the waters rose, residents tied the lumber to trees and were able to save Page 7 was still standing between bridges, where crew and passengers to Durango were compelled to abandon it. Bridges at Cedar Hill and Flora Vista were de- stroyed. The cable suspension bridge at Aztec survived the flood. Will there be a flood of 1995? Keep a sharp eye on the rivers because this year is not yet in the history books. (Marilu Wayboum is an author, a historian and a native of San Juan County, New Mexico.) buy post vesodihg 565-252- 3 7081 Hwy 66$ cwtez (Across from the M 4 M) SELL Z i&sJJUronrmrrrtf AUTHENTIC INDIAN ARTS & CRAFTS KATCHINA DOLLS JEWELRY RUGS GUNS & AMMO Pawn Anything of Value (even vehicles) WELCOME RODEO FANS it. Three weeks later the fair went on as scheduled with a new exhibit hall, a grandstand with a roof, and a race track. The fairgrounds was in the big bend on the north side of the Animas River between the Broadway Street bridge and the Miller Street bridge. According to the Farmington Enterprise , Sept. 10, 1909, the flood was The worst in history with the railroad out of commission and the bridge near the fairgrounds damaged. Many floods of the past occurred in the fall, including the most publicized flood, which was in October 1911. Beginning above Durango, the Animas River ran rampant downstream all the way to its confluence with the San Juan River and beyond. Folks stood on the railroad tracks in Farmington and watched trees, logs, chicken coops, pig pens, fences, pumpkins, apples, barns, haystacks and even houses, bridges and mud-soak- ed parts of bridges go by. The Farmington , October 12, 1911, reported the facts. miles of railroad washed Twenty-fiv- e away, three lives were lost, only two bridges were left in the county, and 150 miles of river bottoms were devastated. The San Juan and Animas Rivers had risen higher than ever in the memory of the oldest residents. About 50 families in the county lost their homes.Bridges across the San Juan River at Blanco, Bloomfield, Farmington, Fruitland and Shiprock all washed out. On the Animas River two bridges at Twin Crossings were damaged. The train Times-Hustl- Save The Snap, Crackle, Pop For Your Cereal Some aches and pains are just a part of growing older. But when a sports injury or back pain causes a problem, prompt rehabilitation may be the answer. Physical therapy can significandy lessen the pain and speed the bodys ability to heal itself. er Southwest Memorial Hospital has a team of specialists trained to assess the hurt. Equipped with the latest technology, these physicians and therapists will design an individual treatment plan for rapid recovery. If the snap, dont crackle, pop is coming from more than your cereal, waste time. Call Southwest Memorial Hospital now: (970) 565-666- 6 Montezuma County Hospital District Vista Grande Nursing Home Southwest Memorial Hospital 1311 N. Mildred Rd., Cortez, Colorado 81321 6 565-666- |