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Flooding Crisis Sparks Urgent Call for Watershed Collaboration

September 24, 2024 | Moab City Council, Moab, Grand County, Utah


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Flooding Crisis Sparks Urgent Call for Watershed Collaboration
In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the aftermath of significant flooding events and ongoing environmental concerns in the region. A gauge reading of 66,100 cubic feet per second (CFS) was reported, though it was noted that the gauge was damaged during the flood, leading to a potential error margin of plus or minus 15%. The peak water height reached 15.7 feet, surpassing the overflow threshold of Mill Creek, which is set at 13 feet. This incident has been classified as a \"1 in 50 year event,\" with four such events occurring in the past two years.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking to claim ownership of a local power dam, raising questions about responsibility for necessary actions regarding the dam's maintenance. Additionally, the health department highlighted its recent initiative during Septic Smart Week, which included a grant to distribute educational materials about proper septic system maintenance to the approximately 2,500 properties in the county that rely on these systems.

Concerns about water quality were also addressed, with the Utah Division of Water Quality conducting tests for E. Coli in Mill Creek and Pack Creek. Results indicated increasing E. Coli levels downstream, prompting discussions on how to tackle this issue effectively.

The meeting also included a request for a letter of support for a grant aimed at constructing a diversion pump. This project would facilitate the return of water to wetlands, potentially allowing for the use of 2,500 acre-feet of water rights from the Colorado River. The long-term goal is to provide an additional source of secondary water to reduce reliance on culinary water from aquifers.

Cora, an official working with the Utah Division of Emergency Management, provided updates on a statewide mapping project to enhance flood risk assessments. Funding has been secured for updated maps using LIDAR technology, which will offer a more detailed understanding of the watershed, particularly in light of significant changes due to flooding. Historical photographs revealed that Mill Creek has shifted approximately 1.5 kilometers over the past century, highlighting the challenges posed by urban development in flood-prone areas.

The meeting underscored the importance of collaborative efforts among various entities to address flood mitigation, as even minor changes in creek water flow can lead to sediment deposition and affect overall watershed functionality.

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Scribe from Workplace AI
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