Click the link to read the article on The Cortez Journal website (Anna Watson). Here’s an excerpt:
October 26, 2026
Heavy rain triggered historic flooding last week across much of the Four Corners, submerging fields, homes and buildings; washing away several roads; and causing rivers including the San Juan, Rio Blanco and Animas to exceed flood stages…Areas in Archuleta, La Plata and San Juan (New Mexico) counties experienced the most severe damage, while Montezuma County avoided major destruction, according to local officials…Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin said his office received relatively few weather calls, noting the county appears to have fared better than surrounding counties. However, he noted deputies have remained busy responding to other incidents and calls. County spokeswoman Vicki Shaffer said countywide damage had been fairly minor…
Dolores Water Conservancy District General Manager Ken Curtis said precipitation has been five to six times higher than expected, while runoff has been nearly 10 times the October average. McPhee Reservoir has risen about 12 feet following a gain of 8,000 acre-feet of water in September and another 34,000 acre-feet in October. Curtis said the accumulation is unusual for this later season.
“We are still very low. We were almost at dead or an inactive pool, so 12 feet is great, but we have a long way to go,” he said, explaining the reservoir is still 51 feet from being full.
