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NORTHERN UTAH -- With so much snow in the mountains of Utah, people across the Wasatch Front are getting nervous about flooding potential.
Water experts say almost all creeks and rivers are going to be moving faster and have more water than normal this spring.
For residents who were flooded last year, they know how fast a little bit of water can turn into a whole lot.
"It's amazing what water can do," said Sandy resident Kim World. She would know -- last year, what was once a tiny creek swelled and flooded her neighborhood.
Crews are still fixing the damage.
"Right now they're shoring all the walls and everything, and it looks like they're doing a good job," World said.
There is still a lot of snow in Utah's mountains and snowpack levels are above average. But during a conference for water managers held in Logan Tuesday, hydrologist Brian McInerney says flooding and snowpack levels don't necessarily go together.
"I think the biggest misconception with regard to flood scenarios is that giant snowpacks equate to giant flooding, and that's not the case," he said.
The key to all of this is spring temperature. If we get a gradual warming period, the snow doesn't melt as fast and the danger will be lessened. If it warms up in a hurry, the snow melts faster. That's where problems arise.
"You want to keep the snow in the mountains as long as possible," McInerney said.
There are three areas hydrologists are extra concerned about in Utah: Logan River, Blacksmith Fork in Hyrum and the Weber River in Kamas, which flooded last year.
With spring runoff on the way, crews in Sandy are getting creek channels ready. Other cities are getting ready, too. Draper bought barriers to help control water flows from a burn scar, and Herriman has packed sandbags ready to go.
Because of the flooding danger from depleted vegetation after last year's wildfire in Herriman, a couple of homes near the area are already sandbagged.
"We hope for a season that's cooperative, but better safe than sorry," said Herriman spokesperson Nicole Martin.
There is one thing water experts say is pretty much a guarantee with all their predictions: high water flows everywhere.
They're asking people -- especially children -- to be extra safe.
Email: acabrero@ksl.com
