BREAKING: A historic wooden flume over 100 years old has collapsed near Cascade Creek, triggering a landslide that has devastated the area and led to significant forest closures. The collapse, which occurred in June, has raised urgent concerns about public safety and infrastructure stability.
Cleanup efforts are currently underway as authorities scramble to contain the aftermath of this disaster. The flume, one of only two still operational for hydroelectric purposes, connects Durango and Silverton, just north of the Purgatory Resort on U.S. Highway 550. Water escaping from the damaged flume has worsened terrain erosion, further destabilizing the already compromised structure.
According to a release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Forest Service on June 13, a 51-acre section of the national forest is now closed, with the area expected to remain off-limits until at least November 2026. “The recent failure of the flume resulted in infrastructure damage and a landslide that has destabilized the area,” officials stated. They cautioned about potential hazards, including falling trees and debris from the ongoing degradation of the flume.
Nearby power transmission lines are also at risk due to this incident. As of late July, Xcel Energy has not released a definitive report on the cause of the collapse, but local residents are concerned about the implications for water flow to private properties downstream.
Carolyn Strong, a resident overlooking Electra Lake, remarked, “There’s always something going on over there,” noting that she hasn’t yet observed any impact on water levels or power supply. Meanwhile, Benedict Stoddard, another local, reported that the flume now needs a complete replacement to restore water pumping back to Electra Lake.
The water route affected by the broken flume is crucial for generating hydroelectric power at the Tacoma Generating Station along the Animas River. Purgatory Resort, which relies on water from Xcel for snowmaking, confirmed in a communication on June 18 that they are collaborating closely with the Forest Service and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to expedite repairs and restore water flow.
The wooden flume, which is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, has faced other issues throughout its long history, but nothing compares to the recent damage. Xcel Energy was unavailable for comment as of Friday.
With the ongoing cleanup and repair efforts, residents and officials alike are anxiously awaiting updates on how this incident will impact the region’s water supply and electrical infrastructure. Stay tuned as this story develops.
