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Bear Creek Information

Bear Canyon Creek
Stats
Description
Neighborhoods
Schools
Flood Data
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Watershed Address: 
Bear Canyon Creek, Boulder Creek, St. Vrain, South Platte, Platte, Missouri, Mississippi, Gulf of Mexico 

Approximate length: Nine Miles  

Description: Draining the the north face of Bear Mountain and the southern flank of Green Mountain, Bear Canyon Creek emerges from its canyon and flows through what are now Table Mesa and Martin Acres neighborhoods, joining its major tributary Skunk Creek near Aurora 7 Elementary school. The confluence of Bear Canyon Creek with main Boulder Creek is south of Arapahoe Avenue in the Univesity of Colorado Research Park.

As with many of the mountain streams in the area, when it floods, Bear Creek carries a heavy load of sediment and debris, filling the channel of the stream with sand and gravel and then spilling from its banks. In early May of 1969 Table Mesa Drive near Broadway was a muddy mess due to flooding. The FEMA Flood Insurance Report notes:

On May 8, 1969, the Boulder Daily Camera reported that "motorists were still being routed around the intersection of Talbe Mesa Drive and Broadway, where Bear Creek rages out of its banks, flooding the entire area Wednesday."

Also see 1969 Flood in BASIN History.

Click here for a video clip of Bear Canyon Creek flooding in 1969.

Nearby Neighborhoods (upstream to downstream) 

  • Table Mesa
  • Martin Park
  • Williams Village
Schools 
  • Mesa Elementary
  • Bear Creek Elementary
  • New Vista High School
  • Martin Park Elementary
  • Aurora 7
Flash Flood Data  
Source: FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Association) June 2, 1995 Flood Insurance Study
Flooding Source & Location 
Drainage Area (Square Miles) 
         Peak 
Discharge
 (CubicFt.
per Sec.) 
10-year 
50-year 
100-year 
500-year 
 Confluence w/ Boulder Creek
8.24 
2,050
3,762
4,880 
7,500
Confluence w/ Skunk Creek 
5.35 
1,170 
2,360
3,070
5,100

Baseline Rd.

4.96
1,110
2,352
2,930
5,000
U.S. Hwy. 36
4.34
820
1,780
2,210
3,850
Broadway
4.08
680
1,512
1,930
3,400
 Upstream Limit of Study 
3.71
480 
1,190
1,600
3,000 

BEYOND BASIN:

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Last Page Update - Tuesday December 27, 2005