The Town of Estes Park Water Division conducts an annual water main flushing program in the Spring. The water main flush is conducted by pulling large volumes of water through fire hydrants. Flushing improves water quality and clarity by creating a higher than normal flow through the distribution system. This flow helps to clear the pipes of the iron oxide buildup resulting from the corrosion of older steel pipes. Water customers may notice discoloration of their water for a short period of time.
The rusty-looking water can leave iron stains on clothing and while not aesthetically pleasing, it is safe to use. The best solution for customers is to avoid using water, particularly hot water, when crews are flushing in the area. If rusty water is drawn, cold water should be run for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the water clears. If the water does not clear in that time, water should be shut off for about 30 minutes before the process is repeated. If there is yellowish discoloration present in hot water, the water heater should be drained and flushed. Many manufacturers recommend this be done as annual preventative maintenance. Check the owner's manual for instructions on how to perform this procedure.
The annual hydrant maintenance and water main flushing will ensure all hydrants are working properly. When the hydrants are opened for flushing, we can see if the hydrant is operating normally and what the fire flow capacity for the hydrant is. If any maintenance or repairs are needed, they will be completed as soon as possible. It is a top priority of the water division that all hydrants in the system will be reliable in the event of a wildfire.
2023 Water main flushing will follow the schedule below, excluding Saturdays and Sundays:
Day 1 (May 1): Marys Lake Road to include Griffith Court, Strong Avenue, Little Prospect Road and Silver Tree Lane
Day 2 (May 2): Highway 66 to Marys Lake Road to include Upper Broadview Road, Eagle Cliff Road, Heinz Parkway, High Drive and Meadow Lane
Day 3 (May 3): Moraine Avenue to Elm Road to include Old Ranger Drive, Old Man Mountain Lane and Fall River Lane
Day 4 (May 4): Moraine Avenue to Park River Place to include Moreau Lane, Cedar Ridge Circle and Range View Road
Day 5 (May 5): Fall River Road to Sierra Sage Lane to include Sleepy Hollow Court, Homestead Lane and Summerset Court
Day 6 (May 8): Riverside Drive to Stanley Avenue to include Ouray Drive, Prospect Avenue, Moccasin Circle Drive, Driftwood Avenue, Columbine Avenue, Birch Avenue, High Street, Meadow Lane, Hondius Circle and Cyteworth Road
Day 7 (May 9): West Riverside Drive to Prospect Village Drive to include Pine River Court, Pine River Lane and Audubon Street
Day 8 (May 10): Moccasin Street to Stanley Avenue to include Highland Lane, the Hospital area, Comanche Street and Dunraven Street
Day 9 (May 11): Fawn Lane, Ponderosa Drive, Morgan Street, Bailey Lane, Landers Street, University Drive and Elk Ridge Court
Day 10 (May 12): Prospect Mountain Road to the West side of Highway 7 to include Lexington Lane, Concord Lane, Village Green Lane, Elk Meadow Court, Elk Hollow Court, Pine Knoll Drive, Woodland Court, Tranquil Lane, Pinewood Drive, Pinewood Lane, Dekker Circle, Axminster Lane, Twin Drive and Longs Drive
Day 11 (May 15): Highway 7 East side to Scott Avenue to include Graves Avenue, Woodstock Drive, Stanley Park Fairgrounds and Manford Avenue
Day 12 (May 16): Stanley Park Fairgrounds, Community Drive, Eagle Lane, Par Lane, Mathew Circle, Halbach Lane, Wapiti Circle and the Estes Park School area
Day 13 (May 17): Fish Creek Road, Mall Road, Avalon Drive, Clover Lane, Brook Court, Country Club Drive, Holiday Lane, Fairway Club Circle and Acacia Drive
Day 14 (May 18): Upland Circle, Scott Avenue, Larkspur Avenue, Carriage Drive, Longview Drive and Whispering Pines Drive
Day 15 (May 19): Moccasin Street, Moraine Avenue, Riverside Drive, Rockwell Street, Cleave Street, Fall River Village, Spruce Drive and Big Horn Drive
Day 16 (May 22): Elkhorn Avenue, Valley Road, Marigold Lane, and Wonderview Avenue to Highway 34
Day 17 (May 23): Big Horn Drive, Chapin Lane, Evergreen Lane, Granite Lane, Chiquita Lane, Virginia Drive, West Elkhorn Avenue, Far View Drive and James Street
Day 18 (May 24): MacGregor Avenue, Devils Gulch Road and McCreery Lane
Day 19 (May 25): Overlook Court, Stanley Hotel area, Steamer Parkway, Black Canyon Drive, Prospector Lane, Homesteader Lane and Pioneer Lane
Day 20 (May 26): Stanley Village area, Highway 34 to Olympus Lodge, Summit Drive, Dry Gulch Road and Bellevue Drive
Day 21 (May 30): North Lane, South Lane, East Lane, West Lane, Panorama Circle, Summit Drive, Pine Lane, Grand Estates Drive, Lakefront Street, Skyline Drive and the Estes Park Resort area
Day 22 (May 31): Elk Trail Court, Deer Path Court, Raven Circle and Lone Pine
Day 23 (June 1): Ptarmigan Trail, Falcon Ridge, Redtail Hawk Drive, Crabapple Lane and Gray Hawk Court
Day 24 (June 2): Marys Lake Lodge area, Carriage Hills and the Rockwood area
Day 25 (June 5): Little Valley Drive, South Fish Creek Road and Chalet Ridge Court
Day 26 (June 6): Arapaho Road, Grey Fox Drive, Ute Lane, Shadow Mountain Court, Green Pine Court, Cherokee Drive, Pawnee Drive, Indian Trail and Bristlecone Court
Day 27 (June 7): Prospect Estates, Steele Court, Marcus Lane, Curry Drive, Darcy Drive and Peak View Drive
Day 28 (June 8): Fall River Estates, Fish Hatchery Road and David Drive
Day 29 (June 9): Thunder Mountain area
Day 30 (June 12): Kiowa Pump House and Tank Area
Please contact Jason Lang, Water Distribution Supervisor, at 970-577-3622 or jlang@estes.org with questions.
