Landslides and flooding on Bridger-Teton
by Bridger-Teton National Forest
June 28, 2011
The Big Piney Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest discovered two new landslides on the District this week.
The Upper Hoback Road near Bondurant, WY is closed due to a significant landslide at mile 14. There is a slide on the Edwards Creek road, located off the Middle Piney Road which has restricted vehicle access to one lane, and a much larger slide up Apperson Creek, which is also will allow for one-lane traffic in that same area. "As things are melting out, and we are able to access more of the Forest, we are discovering more and more slides and areas that will need our attention," said Forest Supervisor Jacque Buchanan.
The Big Sandy Road #37-850 on the Pinedale Ranger District has two sites where water is flooded over the roadway. There is also one large pothole on the road above the flooded sites. All three sites are located approximately 1.5 miles south of the Big Sandy Trailhead, past the turn-off to the Temple Peak Summer Home Tract. "We are monitoring this situation on the Big Sandy Road, but haven’t scheduled corrective action yet, because snowmelt is expected to continue to provide excess water at these locations for at least the next two weeks," Buchanan said.
This flooded portion of the Big Sandy Road is not suitable for 2-wheel drive vehicles at this time. 4-wheel drive vehicles may drive through the standing water at their own risk, but may not leave the roadway to go around the flooded areas because this causes resource damage outside of the roadway.
As of this Wednesday, solid snow approximately 3-feet deep can be expected above 9,500 feet in elevation throughout the Bridger Wilderness Area. Most lakes above 9,500 feet are still frozen.
Visitors to the Bridger-Teton are reminded to avoid camping or traveling in areas with flood potential, and to report road damage to the Forest at 307-739-5500.
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