Emergency managers expect Emigration Creek water levels to rise but not flooding
Apr 17, 2023, 6:30 PM
FILE: Water flows through Emigration Creek after flooding concerns rise in Emigration Canyon in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 14, 2023. On Wednesday, Dave and Dujanovic discussed some common questions about flooding with Matt Hansen with Any Hour Services. (Ryan Sun, Deseret News)
(Ryan Sun, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah — Emergency managers in Salt Lake City are keeping a close eye on Emigration Creek. They are expecting water levels to rise, but do not anticipate flooding.
The previous flooding in the area was mostly due to a backup caused by a steel plate. Now that the plate is out of the way, the water is flowing just like it should.
According to Emergency Manager Richard Boden, Salt Lake City Emergency Management is not expecting more flooding in the area of Emigration Creek.
“The system’s designed to handle that kind of flow,” he says. “The biggest issue that would be is if there becomes some sort of a constriction or a blockage in that system.”
He says the system still worked like it is supposed to.
“When you get a sudden increase, like we saw last week with the heat and that sudden melt, that increases the flow and gets up into the area where there may be debris,” Boden says.
Despite not anticipating additional flooding Boden still advises people to be careful around rivers and streams.
“Be aware of your surroundings. Always be cognizant of what’s happening in the area,” he says. “If you’re gonna be near the streams, be prepared. And, if you’re living near one of those areas that has that potential, you should always be prepared.”
As for what’s ahead, Boden wants people to give the city a call if they see any backups again so they can fix it quickly.
Sandbags will still be in place along 1700 South for the next few weeks, as a precaution.
Devin Oldroyd contributed to this story.
