Volunteers Continue Work on Flood Cleanup Efforts
As we near the anniversary of the September 2013 Flood, volunteers continue to help restore Boulder County open space properties.
The strength of the Boulder County community was obvious in the volunteer response we received on flood projects. In 2013, 28 flood debris removal projects and restoration projects took place where 709 volunteers worked for a combined total of 3,030 flood clean-up hours. People came out to support their neighbors – from the animals whose habitat was washed away, to the farmers whose livelihood was threatened and the recreation enthusiasts whose parks were destroyed.
So far this year we have sponsored over 30 flood cleanup projects and the department anticipates continuing into 2015.
Among the 2014 projects, we had a two-day project at Western Mobile property in the Hygiene area. More than 100 volunteers removed flood debris along the St. Vrain where the river first breached. As volunteers who worked at this location can tell you, the flood changed this area into a vast wasteland of sand and rocks covered with trash, as well as pieces of people’s lives. Torn up teddy bears, tires, and even a couch were found, hauled, and piled up by volunteers. This project was giant – spread over several acres, and truly could not have been completed without volunteers. Now this site can return to the peaceful riparian meadow it once was.
Thank you volunteers!
