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Show Heavy Rains Threatened Closure Of Two Major Garfield Highways "What could have turned Into a disaster, could also have been worse. It could have closed Highway 89," said Utah State Highway Commissioner Clem Church as he surveyed Mondays heavy rainfall that for a time threatened closure of both U.S. 89 and Utah Highway 12 through Red Canyon. The Friday July 18 deluge quickly saturated the ground in the Panguitch area of Garfield County causing widespread loosening of detritus that quickly brought approximately 150 cubic yards of crushed rock and mud down onto Highway 12 just one-tenth of a mile west of the western most tunnel In Red Canyon, said Bruce Dal ton, superintendent of the Utah Department of Transportation's Panguitch road shed. Dalton said, "the road was closed for a short while until we could get our equipment up the canyon to clear the debris." Alluding to a smaller, 50-cublc-yard slide a quarter of a mile below the larger slide, Dalton said, "We're lucky this time, look at the water In the stream bed. It's about three feet deep and over fifty feet wide in some places. It could have and did-pick up some big tree trunks, sending them down into the camp area and farther down where they could have blocked culverts and sent the heavy stream of water over the banks in many areas causing widespread damage." At the time of the flooding in Red Canyon, there were 12 camp sites full in the Red Canyon Camp. The road into the camp that dips down to the level of the top of the culverts was covered with approximately four feet of rushing water. Boulders could be heard rumbling over the road and at least 20 automobiles and over 70 sightseers were marveling at the sight and taking many pictures. The banks of Red Canyon wash also received extensive damage, being undercut in many areas. As a result of the Red Canyon flood, the Sevier River ran over its banks from Highway 12 to approximately the Garfield County line. Longtime resident Leland Riggs, Hatch said that he "noticed the heavy downpour over Wilson and Johnson Canyons and I knew that Red Canyon was going to catch it." Friday's rains caused additional concern in western Garfield County as virtual torrents of rain fell intermittently during the day. Saturday and Sunday offered no respite, and authorities are keeping a close watch on areas where the (See FLOOD Page 2) Flood CBfflBBll ground is particularly saturated. Saturday afternoon, the Utah weather bureau issued a flood watch warning as heavy rains fell in eastern Iron County and in western Garfield County. The present storm has many of the earmarks of the August 19, 1934 storm that destroyed bridges, farmlands, eroded roads and generally wreaked havoc thorughout the western side of the county. Highway 14 sustained considerable damage in Cedar Canyon when a flash flood ripped a 100-foot section out of the road. Several families were without water for a time until city water crews replaced the lines. A late report of extensive damage to Garfield County's controversial Burr Trail came only a week after members of the Utah Legislature Transportation Committee made a tour of the "trail". Weekend storms dumped enough water on the area to cause slides in the switchback area and trapped two travelers who were forced to leave their automobile and walk 12 miles out. Unconfirmed reports say the trail is in "bad shape" along its entire length. Garfield County commission chairman Dell LeFevre and Steve Creamer of Creamer and Noble Engineers of St. George were scheduled to fly over the entire length of "The Burr" and take photographs of the damage. Escalante also reported excessive rain and some flooding of the canyons in the area. Escalnte town clerk Monte Jordon reported that their family reunion cf some 130 people was successful although they all had to scurry .to the community building to escape Saturday's downpour. Reports of mud damage and severe flooding of basements, homes and businesses are still being assessed in Orderville. Mud covered the main street to a depth of over three feet in some places. One resident had his basement flooded with mud and debric twice in 24 hours. h |