Flood of September 3, 1972, in Hillsboro, New Mexico

Open-File Report 73-356
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Abstract

Four deaths, two persons seriously injured, and property damage estimated at $846,500 resulted from a flood that struck the village of Hillsboro, N. Mex. during the early morning hours of September 3, 1972.


Hillsboro is situated at the confluence of Percha Creek and its main tributary, North Percha Creek. Heavy rainfall in the drainage basin upstream from Hillsboro occurred during the night of September 2-3. Peak discharge computed by slope-area measurements indicated that Percha Creek carried a maximum flow of 12,200 cubic feet per second (346 cubic meters per second) and that North Percha Creek carried a flow of 20,900 cubic feet per second (592 cubic meters per second) at points just upstream from Hillsboro. Flood-control facilities in Hillsboro consisting of levees on the south bank of Percha Creek failed and flood waters reached depths of 6 feet (1.8 meters) in Hillsboro.


Hillsboro was declared a disaster area by Governor Bruce King and by President Richard Nixon.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Flood of September 3, 1972, in Hillsboro, New Mexico
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 73-356
DOI 10.3133/ofr73356
Year Published 1973
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Albuquerque, NM
Description 19 p.
Country United States
State New Mexico
City Hillsboro
Other Geospatial North Percha Creek;Percha Creek
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