UTAH'S FLOOD WATCH

UDOT clearing debris to prevent highway flooding

Mar 24, 2023, 4:56 PM | Updated: Apr 17, 2023, 11:53 am

SALT LAKE CITY — Earlier this year snow was a big danger for drivers but now it’s becoming rain and wet roads.

The Utah Department of Transportation is working now to get ahead of potential flooding that could add to the driving dangers.

With a rise in temperatures recently UDOT crews are working statewide to take care of hazards that could make driving more treacherous.

“We are going to see water coming down the mountains, water in places that we don’t really experience it and we could see a very good potential for flooding,” John Gleason from UDOT said. “Not only can drastic amounts of water create unsafe roads to drive on, but without the right treatment and preparation, flooding can make some roads nearly impossible to drive.”

Residential areas along the Wasatch Front are preparing for the same problem.

They started working proactively to minimize flooding that may happen when the snowmelt runoff really gets going in the next couple of months.

A Salt Lake County Engineering crew joined Flood Control crews to pull debris from Little Cottonwood Creek in Cottonwood Heights Thursday.

With a record amount of water piled up in the snowpack at the top of Little Cottonwood Canyon, hydrologists and emergency managers already know that the creek and many others will be filled to the banks with runoff starting in May, and lasting into June.

Creek clearing is underway in Salt Lake to minimize threat of flooding

“It’s an overwhelming amount of water and debris that can really plug up those culverts and drainage systems and once those get clogged, that’s really when you see the water go everywhere,” Gleason said. “We are ordering heavy equipment, those excavators, bulldozers equipment that can be very useful in those types of situations.”

DOT has ordered 350,000 sandbags and it’s working to get an additional 1.5 million with other state agencies and local municipalities.

Gleason said, “Whether it’s rain, sleet, or snow, driving in those conditions it’s important to slow down. We just want to make sure that our state is prepared for any potential flooding.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Utah's Flood Watch

Utah Lake water release...

Alex Cabrero

Utah Lake release sends 300 million gallons of water a day into the Great Salt Lake

The Utah Lake control gates in Saratoga Springs opened Thursday morning to release water into the Great Salt Lake.

2 months ago

(KSL TV)...

Mike Anderson

Tons of sediment cleared from Logan River to protect power generators

Tons of sediment is being pulled from the Logan River as part of a project to clean up power generators.

3 months ago

Crews work on flood mitigation in Eagle Mountain...

Brittany Tait

Eagle Mountain’s project to reduce flooding threat

After an unseasonably rainy spring, certain neighborhoods in Eagle Mountain witnessed multiple floods. 

6 months ago

A man skateboards with an umbrella as it rains in Salt Lake City on Aug. 22. Utah water officials s...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

How impactful have this year’s monsoons been for Utah’s water supply?

Utah's monsoon season is slowly winding down, but not before leaving an impact on Utah's reservoirs in various ways.

7 months ago

A line of storms rolls through Salt Lake Valley on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (Spenser Heaps/ Deseret...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Flood watches, wind advisories issued as Hilary’s remnants eke past Utah

Several flood and high wind advisories remain in effect throughout Utah most of Monday, and even into Tuesday, as the remnants of Hurricane Hilary move through parts of Utah.

7 months ago

Sandbags were stacked at the Intermountain hospital in Cedar City as the area expected more floodin...

Lauren Steinbrecher

Cedar City braces for more flash flooding

Preparations were underway Friday for flash flooding in parts of Southern Utah, as communities like Cedar City work to make sure they don’t get a repeat of what the storms brought Thursday.

7 months ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

UDOT clearing debris to prevent highway flooding