Cottonwood campground

[uh_clem]

  Is Cottonwood campground prone to flooding? Seems like it would be, being so close to the river.

(Me and my tent being washed away in a flood)

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[okiehiker]

I am not aware of flooding at Cottonwood.  I think it is 10 - 15 feet above the river level so to flood that deep and wide would probably take 100,000 cfs or so.  I have never been in the park however during really high water so someone else might have a first-hand contradiction!

[badknees]

Yes,

River levels at Castolon where flooding begins:

19.0 MAJOR FLOODING BEGINS. COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND BEGINS TO FLOOD. RESTROOMS UPSTREAM AT SANTA ELENA CANYON PARKING LOT WILL BE INUNDATED. WATER BEGINS TO CLOSE ALL ROADS IN THE AREA.  

15.0 MODERATE LOWLAND FLOODING BEGINS. THE ROAD BETWEEN SANTA ELENA CANYON AND COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND IN THE BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK BEGINS TO FLOOD. THE PARKING LOT AT SANTA ELENA CANYON WILL BEGIN TO FLOOD AND NATURE TRAIL INTO THE CANYON WILL BE CUTOFF. CAMPERS IN COTTONWOOD CAMPGROUND NEED TO REMAIN ALERT TO POSSIBLE EVACUATION PROCEDURES.  


Some Historical Crests:
(1) 24.70 ft on 09/27/1958
(2) 24.60 ft on 10/03/1932
(3) 21.30 ft on 09/30/1978
(4) 21.15 ft on 09/21/1974
(5) 19.75 ft on 09/23/1938
(6) 19.65 ft on 09/10/1974
(7) 19.00 ft on 10/03/1990
(8) 18.50 ft on 10/11/2003
(9) 18.40 ft on 09/27/1991


I believe Cottonwood flooded this summer or was closed ( the river crested at 17.25 ft. on Aug 3rd)

[uh_clem]

I've seen the high water marks at the Santa Elena canyon trailhead restrooms. That's a lot of freakin' water.

[jamesb]

I've seen the high water marks at the Santa Elena canyon trailhead restrooms. That's a lot of freakin' water.

no joke, you never think about it until you see the mark then walk out to the river and think....man thats a lot of freaking water

James

[badknees]

When you look at the date on the restroom, the river only crested at 19 ft on Oct 2, 1990.

Just think of how much water there was at 24.70 ft on 09/27/1958!




PS. Historical record floods are all in Sept and Oct

[uh_clem]

Yikes!