OGDEN, Utah — A flood advisory was put in place for the Ogden River on Thursday after flooding caused road damage in the area, forcing the closure of Ogden Canyon. It has since been reopened to all general traffic via a one-way alternating traffic configuration.
It's expected that the partial reopening will be in place for a few days before the canyon is opened to both directions of traffic.
Photos from the Weber County Sheriff's Office show a chunk of SR-39 missing and heavy construction equipment in the area working on repairs.
Officials say the roadway started to wash out just east of the mouth of the canyon and that the highway will be closed "indefinitely" due to the damage.
A river flood advisory is in effect for the Ogden River below Pineview Reservoir as water levels are in the "action" zone of 6.98 feet.
Flood stage for the river is 7.5 feet.
SR-39, which runs through the canyon, was damaged due to the flood waters and officials shut down the canyon as they monitor and assess the flooding.
According to UDOT official Mitch Shaw, past flooding eroded the roads and a culvert is blocked with debris, causing minor flooding on the roads.
“The water just essentially washed it out,” he said.
One local to drives through the canyon every week, James Parks, was concerned with how it looked.
“The water was really high up on the wall, and the wall just looked really old," Parks said. "I just figured it was like pushing up under the road and onto the concrete.”
Officials advise motorists to utilize the alternating traffic configuration as they pass through Ogden Canyon and to expect delays as a result.
Flood warnings and advisories are in place around other lakes and areas across Utah as massive amounts of snow melt.
River flood advisories are also in place for the Bear River near Corinne and the Little Bear River near Hyrum.
River flood warnings are in place for the Sevier River near Hatch and for the South fork of the Ogden River near Hunstville.
The Bear River from near Woodruff Narrows to the to the Utah/Wyoming line.
