But the 83 floods continue to create lasting damage on the states most recognizable landmarks. The peak discharge at Stone Creek was 40 times the maximum previously known flood, and the peak discharges at the other sites ranged from slightly greater to about five times that previously known. Is the Future of Park Silly Sunday Market at Risk. Wilhelmsen joined the Division of Water Rights in1997 and most recently served as an assistant state engineer and the divisions hearing officer. 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. (The Salt Lake Tribune) State Street at night during massive flooding in late May 1983. Flooding along State Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 1983. The region's 1983 snowpack didn't peak until very late in the season, reaching 27.9 inches on May 20. WRI completes nearly 100,000 acres of restoration work each year in Utah. The two rivers, especially The State Street River, became a sensation in the days that followed. However, what made 1983's flooding so horrific living on today in memory and folklore isn't just how much snow the region Depending on how mother nature cooperates or not, we could see water on the roads, but we shouldnt see another event like 1983.. swept away in a flash flood while hiking The Narrows. Hansen said crews would monitor runoff and rainfall and adjust outflows from reservoirs until the snow comes out., Its very dynamic right now. He started working for the DWR in 2002 as a conservation officer. SALT LAKE CITY ( ABC4) With historic snowfall seen this winter, many Utahns are sharing memories from 40 years ago when the floods of 1983 swept through sltrib.com 1996-2023 The Salt Lake Tribune. She began her career in the legal system, working in the private law sector. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Folks around during that time remember filling sandbags to help stop the Through funding and support for various projects, Water Resources and Water Rights have helped to reduce the risk of flooding and helped protect communities from the devastating effects of these natural disasters. Even as the drought improves, its impact over the past few years means there is space for the region's snowpack water to go. Wade began his career as a City Planner and that evolved into GIS management roles within both the public and private sectors. All rights reserved. As of Monday afternoon, only 0.3 inches of water have melted in the Provo-Utah Lake-Jordan snowpack basin since Friday. Since 1983s historic flooding, Utah has made hefty investments in reservoirs and infrastructure to manage extreme water runoff. was appointed as the director of the Division of Outdoor Recreation in December of 2022. Jayel Kirby was 15 when her summer youth group volunteered to fill sandbags that would be used to create a river down the streets of Salt Lake City during the infamous flood in 1983. Bill enjoys spending time with his family and grandchildren. 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. This Friday at 11 a.m. we will have a live conversation about flooding and what to expect in the coming weeks. One of the issues of 1983 is that we stayed cold and snowy deep into the spring and warmed up quickly. Three decades ago, after considerable snow and rainfall, severe flooding occurred throughout much of Utah, including Utah Valley. In fact, Septembers once-in-a-century flood turned out to be only a bath. In addition to the outstanding peak discharges, streamflow at the 11 sites commonly remains high for days, weeks, or even a month. Continue reading on our blog! As the city is dealing with record snowpack levels in the region that exceed 1980s levels, Stewart, other city water experts and city officials say some flooding is likely but the catch basins and other infrastructure projects are ready to protect Utah's capital from having to resort to another makeshift river. Utah The guidebook, written bySalt Lakemagazine editors Jeremy Pugh and Mary Brown Malouf is a collection of odd tales, urban myths, legends and historical strangeness here in the Beehive State. Dennis Carver is the DNR Internal Audit Director. 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. Report a missed paper by emailingsubscribe@sltrib.comor calling801-237-2900, For e-edition questions or comments, contact customer support801-237-2900or emailsubscribe@sltrib.com. Hasenyager started her career with Water Resources in 2007 after graduating from the University of Utah with both a bachelors degree and a masters degree in civil engineering. Authorities believe the heavy spring runoff will take place in the coming weeks and could cause floods across Utah. Flooding Information | Utah Department of Natural Extent of spring flooding in Utah still unknown as May Will Utah see a return of the 1983 flood in 2023? 40 years ago: The floods of 1983 and Salt Lake City's Read more secrets in our Newcomers Guide. 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