Third High Water Mark Sign Unveiled in Texas

The third high water mark sign in Texas was unveiled in Canyon, Texas on October 21, 2010. This was the first high water mark sign for the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast office in Amarillo.

The sign commemorates the record flood on the Palo Duro Creek which occurred on May 26, 1978. On that day, severe thunderstorms with very heavy rain developed to the west of Canyon. These storms slowed as they approached the west side of Canyon. Most of the heavy rain fell in just an hour and a half. Bucket surveys from a few miles west of Canyon indicated amounts over 10 inches. This heavy rain ran off into the Palo Duro and Tierra Blanca Creeks and caused extensive flash flooding in Canyon. The flood killed four people and caused approximately 20 million dollars in property damage.

At this particular site, the Palo Duro Creek rose to 13 feet or 8.3 feet above flood stage. We have placed the High Water Mark sign at Hunsley Park to show people that frequent the park how high flood waters have risen from the creek. This park has many visitors throughout the year, so this sign will serve as an educational tool for many people.

This sign was a joint effort between the city of Canyon, the National Weather Services' in Amarillo and Lubbock, and the Arkansas-Red Basin River Forecast Center in Tulsa, OK.The ceremony lasted about 30 minutes with rain pouring down and thunder clapping by the end of the event. About 20 people took part in the ceremony with one person from a local T.V. station. The sign is hung in the gazebo near the message board at Hunsley Park. Jose Garcia and Bill Lawrence both presented a talk. Lance Goehring, Senior Forecaster and Hydrologic Focal Point NWS Amarillo and John Lipe, SSH, NWS Lubbock were also present. Lance coordinated and led the effort to have the sign installed. He also worked closely with John to survey and find a place for the high water mark sign.

Floods are one of the most deadly natural disasters, and more people have lost their lives due to flooding than lightning or tornadoes.