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Emergency Crews Ready For Rising Waters, Possible Flooding

MORRISON, Colo. (CBS4)- Emergency responders are preparing for the possibility of flooding along the Front Range as more precipitation is expected and a Flash Flood watch remains in effect for that area through Friday morning.

Bear Creek in Morrison is running fast and high as it flows from Evergreen where some businesses have placed sandbags in anticipation of flooding.

West Metro Fire Rescue has prepared for flooding and flood conditions by making sure the dive team is ready to go at a moment's notice.

sandbags
(credit: CBS)

"With the conditions being what they were, double-checking everything and being ready for the next 24 to 36 hours," said West Metro Fire Rescue Captain Doug Hutchinson.

Dive team technicians say flooding conditions will often catch people off guard because the rainwater flows down from the foothills and that's when flash floods can happen.

"The rivers are over capacity already. We get that rain up above and then the flash flooding below. That's what catches people off guard because it's not raining where they are," said West Metro Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Scott Rogers.

Many creeks and rivers are already running above average with a lot more snowmelt to go.

The South Platte River in Waterton Canyon is at 400 percent capacity. The canyon has been closed to the public.

Denver Water said the continued rain combined with the snowmelt have the South Platte flowing too fast for people to safely use the canyon.

Waterton Canyon
Copter4 flew over Waterton Canyon on Thursday (credit: CBS)

The Army Corps of Engineers reduced the water releases from Chatfield and Bear Creek Dams to lower the flood risk in Denver on Thursday afternoon.

West Metro Fire Rescue will re-position their rescue boats to cover areas that are expected to have the most rainfall.

"To have the resources re-positioned on either side of the river or creek would give us a faster response to both banks," said Hutchinson.

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