Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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NORTHERN UTAH — As rivers rise above flood stage, some Utah cities are preparing for the worst, trying to protect homes and people. For many, it's become a daily concern.
On the Ogden Parkway, Leon Seifert gives passers-by a simple but important message. "Be sure to stay on the path, folks," he says. "That river's nothing to play with."
That river's nothing to play with.
–Leon Seifert, Ogden Parkway volunteer
He's one of some 600 volunteers keeping watch over the turbulent Ogden River — they'll be there for the next couple of weeks. As we noticed in just a few minutes of watching, it doesn't take much for kids to be drawn to the water.
"I think that's awesome. I think it's necessary," Sara French said of the volunteers. "I think with the river being as it is there should be people."
Those raging currents are causing a number of problems across the Wasatch Front. In Warren Thursday, workers tried to close off a leak in the levee, using metal sheeting to block it off.
Near the Staker Parson Company gravel pit in the town of South Weber, homeowners are still on edge as it continues to fill with water. As many as 200 homes could be asked to evacuate if conditions take a turn for the worse.
"If worse comes, we'll grab what we can and get out of the area," said Jacob Radtke, a South Weber homeowner. "But hopefully the grave pits will give a little cushion for time."
According to the Davis County Sheriff's Department, a complex filtration system made up of tons of gravel, boulders and other rocks is working to allow water to flow freely into a gravel pit, but prevent erosion to an adjacent hillside.
Davis County Sheriff's Sgt. Susan Poulsen said the pit owned by Staker Parson west of U.S. 89 in Davis County continues to have water flowing in, but the danger to a northern hillside appears to have been abated.
There's also some rough currents in the Logan River — so much so that a nearby walking trail is now off limits.
In Salt Lake City they're also keeping a close watch on City Creek, which is above flood stage and has very high waters. But there have been no flooding issues yet.
Written by Mike Anderson with contributions from Amy Joi O'Donoghue.
