Remembering the Great Pueblo Flood of 1921

The following are reports gathered from areas both north and south of the Arkansas River and to the west of Fountain Creek tributaries. The reports are from the public, using rain gages and other types of containers (buckets/feed troughs).

The flood ultimately covered 300 square miles, carrying away 600 homes and created upwards of 20 million dollars in damage (1921-costs).A few hundred fatalities occurred as people were swept down river by the rushing torrents of water. Unfortunately many bodies were never recovered so the exact death toll is unknown.

Surveys of the flooded area proved to be difficult though several high water mark lines were noted. All heights stated here are above sidewalk level, per USGS analysis.

• Union Depot, Victoria Ave and B St - 9.8 feet
• Fulton Candy Co., Santa Fe Ave btwn 3rd and 4th St. - 9.8 feet
• Electric Co., Union Ave and North Main St. - 11.9 feet
• Post Office, Main and 5th St. - 5.5 feet
• Western National Bank, Main and Second St. - 13.2 feet
• Western National Bank, First St. and Santa Fe Ave. - 14.4 feet