BEAVER, Utah — State Route 153 through Beaver Canyon is closed indefinitely after flash flooding and debris flows severely damaged the road in several locations Sunday afternoon. New video has emerged showing the massive landslide up on Beaver Mountain that has deposited huge boulders and rocks on SR-153. This road is accesses Eagle Point Resort which is just recovering from a wildfire that scorched 300 of its 600 skiable acres.
“This will take several months and even longer to repair! Just devastating damage to the area.” -Matthew Johnson
The road closure begins near milepost 7.5 east of Beaver, where debris has completely blocked the highway. The most severe damage is concentrated between mileposts 7.5 and 10.5. Within that three-mile stretch, multiple sections of road have been destroyed. Near milepost 14, floodwater undercut the highway and washed approximately half of the roadway into the river.
The full extent of the damage is not yet known. UDOT is assessing the damage from the air and the ground and developing a repair plan as quickly as possible in coordination with Beaver County, Beaver City, public-safety agencies, Eagle Point Resort and other partners. UDOT surveyors and engineers are assessing the corridor from the air and on the ground, as conditions allow.
SR-153 extends approximately 21 paved miles from Beaver to the summit near Eagle Point Resort and continues for approximately 19 miles toward U.S. 89 on the Piute County side, where portions of the route are gravel and dirt. The seasonal highway climbs to an elevation of approximately 10,000 feet and is used primarily for recreation and access to mountain properties.
“If we have another storm, water and debris could come down the canyon again and cause additional damage. We’ve been seeing thunderstorms every afternoon, and right now, neither side of the mountain is safe.” -UDOT Region 4 Deputy Director Jared Beard
Additional thunderstorms are in the forecast. Crews are monitoring the weather and are prepared to respond to changing conditions.
“Every day, we are watching the skies, and our team is primed to react to any other changes.” -UDOT Region 4 Deputy Director Jared Beard
If you’re traveling through central and southern Utah, here’s what you need to know:
• More rain is expected and could cause conditions to change quickly.
• Please obey all road closures, signs, and directions from emergency personnel. They’re in place for your safety.
• Be patient. If a road is closed or if there is a slowdown, it is for a reason.
• Before you travel, check conditions and be prepared for route adjustments.
This is a developing store and we will be sure to update as UDOT’s assessments continue and new information becomes available.
