Emergency personnel and weather scientists are keenly aware of rising river levels and fast-flowing water, due to snowmelt and recent heavy rains.
Summit County Emergency Manager Chris Crowley keeps tabs on local streams and rivers through the U.S. Geological Survey agency’s WaterWatch tool, a website that provides real-time flow information by comparing it to historical data. Based on that, Crowley says he’s keeping an eye on the Provo River near Woodland, where recent measurements have streamflow at much above normal.
“Our predictions for the Provo show a little bit of runoff moving not quite into the flood stage, but into that stage where we want to keep a close watch on it, so we know what's going on and we're prepared,” Crowley said.
To stay safe, as people spend more time outside and recreating near water sources, Crowley says to be mindful of where your kids and dogs are playing.
“Those areas that we would typically walk our dogs or let our kids jump across the culvert or something—these are all dangerous areas right now because the water is running fast," Crowley said. "It's running swift, and it's very cold.”
For people who live or recreate near streams and rivers, visit the USGS WaterWatch page for real-time updates on water levels and streamflow. You can also subscribe to Summit County’s emergency alert system at the County website for information about flooding. Residents who live near water sources in danger of flooding can pick up sandbags from the Summit County Public Works building.
