Floods Still Threaten Region
Written by Andrew-Rossi on June 8, 2017
A Flood Watch remains in effect for the Shoshone River basins from now through Saturday afternoon.
The National Weather Service warns that mountain temperatures at and above 9000 feet will warm into the low to mid 70 degree range through Friday, which will encourage more snowmelt and runoff into the rivers.
The Greybull River at Meeteetse was at seven feet yesterday, just six inches below the flood stage, and is expected to rise just above flood stage by early Saturday, before slowly beginning to lower again.
Other parts of the state, however, are already being impacted by high water.
Rising flood water flowing across Highway 26 about 30 miles west of Riverton has forced the Wyoming Department of Transportation to close the highway until water recedes. WYDOT personnel are stationed at the road-closed gates on each end of the closure, and are available to assist drivers with information regarding detours. The road-closed gates will be manned throughout the night Wednesday, and as long as water continues to flow across U.S. 26.
WYDOT District Engineer Pete Hallsten of Basin said the water flowing across the highway had risen yesterday to about a foot deep, and their vehicle wanted to float – that’s when the decision was made to close the roadway.
Photo credit – WYDOT