Cheyenne to Remember 1985 Flood Victims

A remembrance ceremony for those lost in the 1985 Cheyenne flood will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2015.

The ceremony will be held at 9:00 a.m. at the southwest corner of Ridge Road and Dell Range, next to the blue heron statue with the names of those who died in the flood.

On August 1, 1985, a record six inches of rain fell in less than four hours sending five-foot walls of water crashing through Cheyenne. Twelve people lost their lives and 70 were injured.

Bob Bradshaw, now the Special Projects Director for the City of Cheyenne, was a police officer at the time of the flood.

"It was a tremendous impact obviously on our community," said Bradshaw. "It was a disaster, particularly in terms of the loss of life."

Bradshaw says the event was, "scary." He remembers a lot of rain and a lot of hail.

"I think the hail was probably more damaging than anything else," said Bradshaw. "That's what backed up in people's window wells and in their storm sewers."

Bradshaw believes the city has made significant efforts to try and ensure the events of 30 years ago never happen again.

"I know Dry Creek is far more safe now than it was then," said Bradshaw. "In my personal opinion there's been a lot of effort and a lot of headway."

Those who wish to attend the remembrance ceremony can park in the Cahill Park parking lot and use the Greenway to walk the short distance to the blue heron statue. Transportation will be provided for those unable to travel the short distance.

The free right-hand turn lane from eastbound Dell Range to southbound Ridge Road will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for the ceremony.