Photo by: Bella Peccolo
A water main break at the intersection of South Buchtel Boulevard and University left the Ritchie Center without water for 90 minutes on Saturday, Dec. 31.
The break caused a major flood. Approximately 24 million gallons of water gushed into the street.
However, the Ritchie Center remained open for the women’s and men’s conference basketball games. The Pioneers faced off against the University of Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans.
The main break originated from a three-foot-wide conduit at Denver Water’s Einfeldt Pump Station, according to a traffic advisory issued by Denver Water.
It took longer than usual to locate the break due to the number of conduits converging at the station as well as the number of valves required to turn it off.
“The Ritchie Center was kept open because the water was only temporarily shut off,” said Erich Bacher, director of Media Relations. “We were confident the water was going to be turned back on in a prompt manner based on the information we received.”
Fans were alerted of the water main break via signs posted throughout the Ritchie Center, as well as through social media outlets.
Ritchie Center staff members assisted police in directing traffic. Hand sanitizer was provided in restrooms due to the low water pressure.
“When I saw the streets, I thought, ‘I can’t believe this is happening,'” said freshman Kaley Rickert, a marketing and in-event promotions assistant who worked both of the games. “I was worried that my car was underwater and about the new lacrosse field being ruined.”
Almost half of the field in Barton Lacrosse Stadium was submerged after water from the main break.
Water was pumped away from the field later that evening to minimize the risk of damage. There were problems with the field’s movement and heater, but both items are now working properly.
“There was minor damage to the lacrosse field,” said Erich Bacher, director of Media Relations. “I’m sure a lot of damage could have been done to the actual playing surface.”
“The weather and work done by our stadium crew has melted most of the ice off of the field,” said Bacher.
Water did freeze on the field, but the freezing itself didn’t cause any damage, according to Bacher.
The field, which is a retention pond site for DU’s north end of campus, will be ready in time for the season.
The first home game for the men’s lacrosse team will be on Saturday, Feb. 25, against the University of Michigan Wolverines.
