Watershed Address:
Coal Creek, Boulder Creek,
St. Vrain, South Platte, Platte, Missouri, Mississippi, Gulf of
Mexico
Approximate Length: 29 miles
Description: Originating
on the eastern flank of Thorodin Mountain near the town of Wondervu,
Coal Creek carves a canyon that empties onto the plains west of
Rocky Flats, then swings east and north through the Town of Superior,
Louisville, Lafayette and Erie before joining Boulder Creek. Coal
Creek drains about 14% of the Boulder Creek Watershed.
According to the FEMA Flood Insurance Study:
"Historical documentation of flood damange is meager in
the area of the City of Lafayette and the Town of Superior....
Major flood damanges in the watershed are to roads, bridges, irrigation
structures, and agricultural land. Duration of flooding is brief,
due to steep slopes and small drainage area. In general, peak
flows last from 1 to 4 hours during a flooding period of 6 to
24 hours.
In recent years there has been concentrated urban
development along Coal Creek and its tributary Rock Creek.
Also see 1896 Coal
Creek and 1921
for more on flash floods along Coal Creek in BASIN History.
