UDOT Says Ski Resort's Access Road Will Be Closed Indefinitely
Following the devastation of the Cottonwood Fire in southern Utah, Mother Nature has dealt the area another tough hand.
Monsoon season has caused daily thunderstorms, flash flooding, and debris flows, particularly in Beaver Canyon along SR-153. On Tuesday, July 21, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) closed the road indefinitely after the road was severely damaged or completely washed away in several locations.
Recently, videos shared on the agency’s social media showed the extent of the damage and provided updates on UDOT’s plans to fix it.
The road closure starts east of Beaver, near milepost 7.5, where debris has completely blocked the road. Between mileposts 7.5 and 10.5, multiple sections of road have been completely destroyed, resulting in the most significant damage to the canyon. Additionally, around milepost 14, flooding undercut the highway and washed half of the roadway into Merchant Creek.
As reported in the July 21 update, UDOT is still assessing the full extent of the damage and developing a repair plan alongside Beaver County, Beaver City, Eagle Point Resort, and other public agencies. At the moment, UDOT is still preparing for further damage to the road in the event of another storm.
The most recent video update stated that it “won’t be a quick fix,” and that repairs will “require a lot of coordination, planning, and work with multiple partners and agencies.”
You can view the full video here.
The Cottonwood Fire caused major damage to Eagle Point Ski Area and the surrounding area. Wildfires often cause root decay and loss of soil strength, which can increase the likelihood of fast-moving, highly destructive debris flows during heavy rainfall events following fires, such as the one in Beaver Canyon.
Eagle Point Ski Area’s owner, Shane Gadbaw, launched a non-profit following the fire to support the redevelopment of the resort and other infrastructure damage from the Cottonwood Fire. You can donate to the Cottonwood Fire recovery efforts by clicking here.
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