June 8th, 2010

Contact: Woody Percival, Fire Inspector/PIO (719) 821-1258 cell

CITY of PUEBLO FIRE DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC INFORMATION & FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU

Water Danger

5:15pm

The Pueblo Fire Dept and Fire Chief Chris Riley strongly suggest that all persons refrain from entering the Arkansas River as it runs through Pueblo until further notice.

As of 3:45 today, the USGS website showed a flow of 5900 cfs at the Moffat St station.

This is an extremely high flow situation.

High levels of debris, including submerged logs and branches create extremely dangerous conditions to recreational users.

Local agencies are considering closing access to the Arkansas River temporarily through the City of Pueblo, and a decision on that may come as early as tomorrow.

Although our specially trained swiftwater rescue team is on a hightened alert status, Chief Riley strongly urges citizens to refrain entering the waters of the Arkansas River in Pueblo until the water flow slows.

###