The Narrows
by Jon Burch Photography
Title
The Narrows
Artist
Jon Burch Photography
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photography
Description
A rugged rock face is bathed in sunlight, revealing rich hues of orange and brown. Pine trees are scattered across the rocky terrain, adding a touch of greenery amidst the stone formations.
The 33-mile drive through the Big Thompson Canyon along Highway 34 from Loveland to Estes Park is one of the most stunning drives in Colorado.
The Big Thompson River flows from the Rocky Mountains in the west to the Great Plains eastward through this steep-walled, boulder-strewn canyon called ‘The Narrows’. U.S. Highway 34 winds its way through the canyon, connecting Loveland and other northern Denver suburbs to the main entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park. Tragically, the heavily traveled tourist route became the site of the worst natural disaster in Colorado’s history during a catastrophic flash flood in July 1976.
It started with a freak thunderstorm that dumped almost an average years’ worth of rain between 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. that July day. The gauging station at the mouth of the canyon recorded peak flow four times higher than the previous record flood. Unfortunately, during this event, the canyon was unusually crowded with visitors on a three-day-weekend holiday celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Colorado statehood.
Eyewitness accounts describe a 20-foot wall of water carrying trees, boulders, cars, and houses. Hundreds of people had to be evacuated from rooftops and canyon ledges, and cabins, motels, and other tourist facilities in towns from Waltonia to Cedar Cove were swept away. One hundred forty-four people were killed. I managed to dodge that one and another major flood in 2013.
Some digital effects were applied to the original image after the photograph was made. No electrons were harmed during the transition.
Image copyright 2024 Jon Burch Photography
Uploaded
September 21st, 2024
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