The KSL Archive: Spring runoff floods Salt Lake City in 1983

On May 28, 1983, the spring runoff that hit the rural parts of Utah finally made its way to the state’s capital, Salt Lake City.

During this time, residents were impacted by the newly formed “North Temple River,” businesses struggled to keep open, and local officials constructed temporary bridges to help with the rushing waters.

Story 1: Memory Grove Floods into Salt Lake City – 00:00
Reporter: Richard Bingham
Date: 05-28-1983

Story 2: Flooding Damages Salt Lake City – 02:04
Reporter: Lynn Packer
Date: 05-30-1983

Story 3: Shoppers Visit Downtown Despite Flooding – 03:41
Reporter: Richard Bingham
Date: 05-30-1983

Story 4: The City Begins Flood Control – 05:11
Reporter: N/A
Date: 05-30-1983

Story 5: Flood Control Center in Salt Lake City – 07:08
Reporter: Martha Jones
Date: 05-31-1983

Story 6: Salt Lake City Businesses Begin to Struggle – 08:52
Reporter: Jack Ford
Date: 05-31-1983

Story 7: Emergency Officials Layout Control Plans – 10:42
Reporter: N/A
Date: 05-31-1983

Story 8: FEMA Reviews the Damages – 11:42
Reporter: Bill Kucera
Date: 06-03-1983

Story 9: Construction of Temporary Bridge Begins – 12:46
Reporter: Jeff Sengstack
Date: 06-05-1983

Story 10: Construction of Temporary Bridge Over ‘State Street River’ – 14:09
Reporter: Jeff Sengstack
Date: 06-05-1983

Story 11: State Street Bridge Holds – 16:19
Reporter: Tom Walsh
Date: 06-06-1983

Story 12: Officials Lose Control of Canal – 17:27
Reporter: Tom Walsh
Date: 06-07-1983

Story 13: A Sinkhole Halts Plans – 18:39
Reporter: Tom Walsh
Date: 06-09-1983

Story 14: Salt Lake City Begins Recovery – 19:38
Reporter: N/A
Date: 06-09-1983

Story 15: Crews Unplug Hole While Power Crews Work Above – 21:29
Reporter: Brent Hunsaker
Date: 06-10-1983

Story 16: State Street Becomes Visible Again – 22:20
Reporter: Bill Kucera
Date: 06-11-1983

Story 17: State Street Clean-Up Begins – 24:19
Reporter: Jeff Sengstack
Date: 06-12-1983

Story 18: Outskirt Business Still Hurt – 26:16
Reporter: Tom Walsh
Date: 06-13-1983

Story 19: Recovery Costs Laid Out – 27:56
Reporter: Tom Walsh
Date: 08-02-1983