Fifty for 150: 20-foot wall of water crashes down the Big Thompson Canyon in 1976

Big Thompson Canyon embodies the stark beauty of the Colorado mountains. A river rushes through the scenic channel, enclosed on both sides by tree-adorned hills and rock formations. There’s nowhere to go but up on either side. That’s what made the rains on July 31, 1976, so deadly. On that day, up to 3,500 visitors […]

By: Quentin Young

Outlets: Colorado Newsline

Published: June 23, 2026

Words: 450

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

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Big Thompson Canyon embodies the stark beauty of the Colorado mountains. A river rushes through the scenic channel, enclosed on both sides by tree-adorned hills and rock formations. There’s nowhere to go but up on either side.

This story is part of Colorado at 150. Each Fifty for 150 story focuses on an event that helped define Colorado over 150 years of statehood. Newsline is publishing one Fifty for 150 story …

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