Water Gushes During Ouray Ice Fest, Climbing Competition Continues

OURAY, Colo. (CBS4)- Every year ice climbers gather in Ouray for the annual Ice Fest and this year was no different except for water that gushed out after a pipe burst.

The three-foot pipe burst on Saturday during the Ice Fest right next to the ice where the Elite Mixed Ice climbers were competing.

Parts of the lower gorge had to be evacuated because of the rising water. What caused the ice to burst has not been determined.

Barry Stevenson, a photographer, said it's the first time that anyone can remember the penstock bursting.