(Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune) Unidentified women try fishing in temporary river along 400 South just off State Street in downtown Salt Lake City in late May 1983. At nine of the streams, the floods during the spring of 1983 equaled or exceeded the 100-year flood. Hasenyager replaces Todd Adams who was named deputy director for the Department of Natural Resources. Temperatures spiked, and flooding resulted. The good news is that with the exception of the very largest lakes and reservoirs like Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge, Strawberry, Great Salt Lake and Lake Powell, our reservoirs are expected to fill! The peak discharge at Stone Creek was 40 times the This includes monitoring inflow to reservoirs and working with dam owners to release appropriate amounts of water to ensure the safety of individuals and properties downstream from the dam, the stream beds well-being, and the dams safe operation. There wasn't really anywhere for that water to go either. Photo by S. Thiriot. He is a registered professional engineer. Donate to the newsroom now. Before being promoted to deputy director, she was the assistant director since 2018. The programs focus is to assist leadership in fostering integrity and trust in everything we do to serve the public. Downtowners made their way across State Street during the 1983 flood via hastily constructed foot bridges. More than 6,000 volunteers (some estimates say 10,000) were called out to sandbag State Street to the 1300 South diversion into the Jordan River. For the last six weeks, water managers at the Central Utah Conservancy District have kept the spring runoff under control by letting water out of one of its largest reservoirs Starvation, a 3,500-acre lake fed by the Strawberry River in the desert west of Duchesne to leave room for more water, said Jared Hansen, project manager at the Central Utah Water Conservancy District. Kaelyn Anfinsen has served as the executive assistant for DNR since 2009. Prior to joining DNR, Boudreau was the information technology director for the Utah Department of Corrections. Wade also plays an important role in the departments data security, liaison to DTS as well as specializing in performance measurements and operational improvement. Unfortunately, it's still too early to know how 1983 and 2023 will compare in city history. Even if the trend in precipitation and cool temperatures continued as it did in 1983, other factors would not match up. Redge Johnson was appointed as a DNR Deputy Director in August 2022. If we see that again, it does increase our flood risk, said Prior to his appointment, he served as deputy director of the Division of Forestry Fire and State Lands, overseeing six state area offices, the divisions law enforcement program, public affairs, and its safety program. West Valley City, UT 84119-2047 He graduated from the North American Conservation Law Enforcement Chief Associations leadership academy in 2016. "That's not to say that they will flood; it's just important to take extra precautions in those areas and pay attention to the forecasts and flood projections," she said. To put it plainly, with big winters comes heavy spring runoff, but will it be a problem? WebNearly 40 years ago, major flooding hit the Salt Lake Valley following a heavy snowpack year in 1983. He has a track record of public service, including serving as a legislator, chairman of the Box Elder County Republican Party, Box Elder Farm Bureau Board member, chairman of the Willard Peak Chapter of Delta Waterfowl, board member of the Friends of the Bear River Bird Refuge, and member of the Northern Regional Advisory Council for the Division of Wildlife Resources. Flooding along State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 1983. There were only three days above 70 degrees before May 20. Whipple also said emergency managers are keeping an eye on Brookside, an unincorporated community below Baker Reservoir, where some homes are built along the shores of the Santa Clara River. (The Salt Lake Tribune) State Street at night during massive flooding in late May 1983. About two-thirds of the county is now listed in moderate drought, while the rest is "abnormally dry" for April. After working in internal audit for six years, Lewis became the Administrative Services Director for the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire, & State Lands, one of DNRs seven divisions, where he oversaw the accounting and budgeting of that division for eleven years. At its peak, Stone Creeks discharge, 3,300 cubic feet per second, was over 40 times the maximum previously known flood discharge of 82 cubic feet per second. Until it didnt. 60th ANNIVERSARY OF KUTV NEWS, UTAH! Continue reading on our blog!" Bridges were built over State Street and thousands of valley residents came downtown to marvel at the sight and walk along the riverside. There are accounts of kayakers and tubers plying the waters and half-serious fishermen dipping lines into the rushing waters. In May of that year, many areas were at least at severe wet levels, with some venturing into extreme wet and even the highest level of exceptional wet.When the rapid melting occurred in 1983, the saturated soil could not contain the extra water. Tremonton will still have sandbags available for residents if needed, which can be picked up at the city offices or the citys fire department. Jamie has a diverse background working with state, local, and federal government and a variety of stakeholders to forge collaborative solutions to policy challenges. Additionally, he oversees management of the divisions of state parks; recreation; oil, gas and mining; water rights; and the Utah Geological Survey. His primary responsibilities include overseeing DNRs technical environment with application development and maintenance, desktop support, servers, network and help desk. At Gunlock State Park, spring runoff is sending torrents of fast-moving water over the state parks red rock formations, creating roaring cascades and forcing the park to restrict public access as crews remove accumulated debris. But we are absolutely, undoubtedly much better prepared today for the record snowfall that we've received than we were in 1983," said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. The region's 1983 snowpack didn't peak until very late in the season, reaching 27.9 inches on May 20. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. SALT LAKE CITY With a record snow season thats ongoing and a possible warm up on the way, parts of PARK CITY, Utah While not to downplay the drought benefits from the high snowpack and the enjoyment of an extended ski season, the conversation of what happens when the snowpack starts to melt is not to be overlooked. Johnson also worked at the Utah DNR and The Nature Conservancy as a land and water acquisitions specialist. Jason Curry was appointed as the director of the Division of Outdoor Recreation in December of 2022. Read more secrets in our Newcomers Guide. Lewis enjoys many outdoor activities such as camping. That year saw extensive flooding across the state, with some of Salt Lake Citys roadways looking more like a river than a street. Royce holds a criminal justice degree from Salt Lake Community College. Somewheres gonna flood. A lock () or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Elsewhere in northern Utah, temperatures, for the most part, are still holding near freezing, meaning much of the mountain snow stays put, and the current runoff continues to be in its early stages. Jeff Rasmussen serves as the director of the Utah Division of State Parks, overseeing the administration of Utahs 46 beautiful state parks, along with state monuments and historic properties. This was not the case in 1983, as cool and wet conditions carried on longer than usual, allowing snowpack retention at altitudes of 6000 to 7000 feet. Estimated read time: 7-8 After we spoke with Laura Briefer, the director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities, Emigration Creek spilled out into the Wasatch Hollow neighborhood and a mudslide temporarily shut down I-80 in Parleys Canyon. As of now, general manager Scott Paxman said hes only worried about debris clogging up rivers. In hisspare time he enjoys singing in two local community choirs, Utah Voices and Witness Music. He was promoted to the Chief of Law Enforcement for DWR in 2019 before becoming director of the Division in 2021. A list of where residents are able to pick up sandbags can be found here. (The Salt Lake Tribune) Dave Cracroft and sons Jonathon and Justin walk up State Street to aid other volunteers during flooding in 1983. Cooling temperatures are expected to slow the flow, and utility managers are monitoring reservoirs, but when will we know that we are out of the woods? It is, as we say around here, aheckof a story. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The other is installed at another pond about 100 feet away, on the southern side of Bonneville Boulevard. He founded Rapid Progression Kayak School, and worked many years in the ski industry in mountain operations management. New pavement was laid shortly after. In their race to control the Sound familiar? The two rivers, especially The State Street River, became a sensation in the days that followed. All one has to do is look at where the homes around Jordanelle Reservoir are located in relation to the water and see that levels are low. sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. Scroll down to see photos from Salt Lake Tribune photographers on the days State Street became State Street River. This year's record snowpack comes as Salt Lake City and the rest of Utah climb out of the grips of some of the worst drought conditions the region has ever experienced, which certainly wasn't the case 40 years ago. On May 26, 1983, Salt Lake City declared an emergency and decided to dike 1300 South in order to convey floodwaters from Red Butte, Emigration, and Parleys Anfinsen also coordinates meetings for DNRs leadership team, NRCC and the Utah Water Task Force. Office hours: Mon. All rights reserved. Memorial Day weekend in 1983 saw high temperatures after a snowy winter, resulting in snowmelt cascading down Salt Lake City. The basin jumped to a record 40.1 inches of water on Friday, 5.7 inches above the previous record set not in 1983 but in 2011. Last year, a 29-year-old Arizona woman was killed after she was swept away in a flash flood while hiking The Narrows. Sign up for The Hive. He graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelors degree in economics. When he isnt working, J. loves to be in the great outdoors hunting, fishing and hiking with his wife and kids. Prior to her employment in state government, Anfinsen was the administrative assistant to the regional manager at United Parcel Service for many years. There, she gained experience and knowledge in criminal and civil law. That includes over by the massive catch basins; Stewart said the pond was already dredged a bit and crews will keep equipment nearby this spring so they can clear the basins as soon as possible once the runoff begins in earnest. Nathan Schwebach joined DNR in 2015 as the communications director and was most recently appointed deputy director in 2021. Mr. Hansen said he hopes for a slow warm-up to spring this year, like his water district saw in 2011, when the snowpack reached similarly high levels. Royce previously served as president of the Utah Troopers Association and as a member of the board of directors for the UHP Honoring Heroes Foundation. In her State of the City Address , Mayer Nann Worel mentioned that natural disasters were an area of concern and said that an internal team has been preparing for any possibility of flooding due to the spring runoff. Prior to joining UGS, Keach worked as a senior oil and gas engineer at the California Department of Conservation, Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources. In January of 2017, Tyler was selected as DNRs watershed program director. He has worked for the State of Utah in various technology roles and capacities since 1994. (Al Hartmann | The Salt Lake Tribune) Cleaning up State Street the day after the street was drained after flooding in 1983. Tyler grew up in Orem, Utah where he graduated from Mountain View High School, attended Utah Valley University and Brigham Young University. Andy Larsen: Heres where National Weather Service forecasts flooding, in the short term and the long term, Murray police officers were justified in their use of force against a 52-year-old man who died after arrest, Salt Lake County D.A. Well be constantly adjusting until its gone.. WebAlthough Utah has seen several localized spring flooding events in recent weeks, there's been no widespread disastrous floods like those experienced in 1983. John Baza was appointed Director of the Utah Division of Oil, Gas and Mining in May 2005 during the first term of then Governor Jon M. Huntsman. In May of that year, many areas were at least at severe wet levels, with some venturing into Ferrys passion for water policy, land conservation and agriculture will serve him well as he works to manage and protect Utahs natural resources. The region had received record precipitation the year before and all the reservoirs and lakes in and around the Wasatch Front were filled up. She holds a bachelors of fine arts in communications from Brigham Young University. This is one of two catch basins that Salt Lake County officials installed at the mouth of City Creek Canyon in 1984, says Stewart, the deputy director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities. Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Ferry formerly worked for Zions Bank. Todd Royce currently serves as the DNR law enforcement director and joined the department in 2018. Any debris removal that requires heavy equipment within a stream bed requires a, Statewide emergency preparedness and emergency response information, Flood information for community members, Current weather conditions from the National Weather Service, Advanced hydrologic predictions from the National Weather Service, maps that indicate which areas could be most impacted by flooding (maps are managed by local agencies and best know conditions in their areas), Bureau of Reclamations Snow to Flow Forecaster. Sugar House Park used to be Utahs first state prison? Prior to joining DNR, Schwebach was the public relations director for ThomasArts, a full-service advertising and communication firm in Farmington, Utah. Heres what this years deep snowpack could mean.]. Stay away from river and stream banks until runoff subsides. That year saw extensive flooding across the state, with some of Salt Lake Citys roadways looking more like a river than a street. (He was formally confirmed by the Utah Senate Sept. It all started in April of 1983, as a year of heavy rainfall and record-breaking snowpack hit the state with sudden floods, prompting locals to brace for the worst. Folks around during that time remember filling sandbags to help stop the Massive mudslides near Thistle wiped out U.S. 6 and rail lines.
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