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Cherry Creek Running High After Dam Flush

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4)- Cherry Creek ran high on Wednesday after the Army Corps of Engineers flushed the Cherry Creek Dam.

Copter 4 flew over the release on Wednesday morning which showed the water rushing through one of the five main outlet gates. The flush is supposed to remove sediment.

CHERRY CREEK FLUSH
Copter4 flew over the Cherry Creek flush on Wednesday (credit: CBS)

"When the gates are opened, the high velocity of the water leaving the reservoir scours the area immediately upstream of the gates and transports sediment with the flow," said Katie Seefus, water manager in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Omaha District office.

The dam released 50 cubic feet per second.

The water release finished before noon but it could take hours before the high water levels reach downtown. The water could flood bike paths.

CHERRY CREEK FLUSH
(credit: CBS)
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