Utah Snowpack Concerns (May 19, 1998)
While the weather so far is easing landslide concerns, the Utah Geological Survey is worried about all the snow waiting to come down above Farmington Canyon. Science Specialist Ed Yeates reports.
It's not the picture down here that worries geologists. And in a normal year, they wouldn't worry about the view up high either.
But in this El Nino year, the snowpack above Farmington Canyon is still 487 percent of normal. On the average, the actual water content of the snow should be down to only 7.6 inches. Today, it stands at 37 inches. Instead of melting like it should, the water content is actually up about an inch and a half from last week.
GARY CHRISTENSEN, UTAH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY: "THE LONGER THE SNOWPACK REMAINS UP THERE, THE MORE QUICKLY IT MELTS - THE MORE LIKELY WE ARE PERHAPS TO HAVE LANDSLIDES HIGH UP. AND IN 1983, WHEN THAT HAPPENED, SOME OF THOSE MOBILIZED INTO DEBRIS FLOWS, SOME OF WHICH MADE IT DOWN TO THE MOUTHS OF THE CANYONS IN DAVIS COUNTY."
Utah geologists are watching all the canyons from Bountiful to Ogden. The snow water content on Ben Lomond Peak is double the average - where it's supposed to be in a normal runoff year. Historically residents in Farmington and Centerville have seen their fair share of floods over the years. In 1927, this debris flow cut a wide path as it poured from the mouth of the canyons. It destroyed a few houses and barns. The Centerville Elementary School was hit with a lot of mud and water. In one flood, a 200 ton boulder rolled out of Davis Canyon. But it was mostly farm country back then. The canyons now hang over a whole new backdrop.
"IT'S ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE DEVELOPMENT AT THE MOUTHS OF THE CANYONS. THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER AREAS IN THE STATE WHERE WE HAVE DEBRIS FLOWS BUT THERE IS NOBODY BUILT AT THE MOUTHS OF THE CANYONS."
For More Information, Check Out:
Areas of Concern
Snowpack Details
Flood History in Davis County