Snake River Canyon CLOSED due to slide
September 5, 2007
Editor's Note: US 89 in the Snake River Canyon was reopened later in the day. Below is the first report about the slides in the canyon.
3:27 PM Update, Wednesday, September 5: Law enforcement officials reported that U.S. Highway 89 through the Snake River canyon has been closed as a result of mud and rock slides across the road. The closure is between Hoback Junction and Alpine Junction.
The slide area is reported to be five feet deep and about 190 feet long and has ripped trees and boulders onto the road surface. The Lincoln County Sheriff reports it may be after 6:00 pm (Wednesday, Sept. 5) until the road is re-opened between Hoback Junction and Alpine.
US 191 between Pinedale and Jackson through the Hoback Canyon is OPEN as of the time of this report. There is still the possibility of slides in Hoback Canyon, but none have been reported at this time.
Additional rainfall in both the Snake River and Hoback Canyons will be less than 1/4 inch as the heavy rain producing storms have moved east of the warned area. However, rainfall totals of 3/4 of an inch to one inch have fallen. Thus, additional run-off may still cause flash flooding.
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