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Landslide on East Fork Sparks Emergency Planning |
Bill Hudson | 5/15/08
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A slow-moving landslide has temporarily cut off access to upper East Fork of the San Juan River recreational areas east of Pagosa Springs, while construction crews repair damage to a broken gas pipeline. The possibility that a change in the slide's rate of movement might create a natural earth dam blocking the river itself and leading to potential flooding issues downstream in Pagosa Springs, has led to planning efforts by emergency personnel. Continued...
East Fork slide area. Photo shows damaged Xcel Energy gas pipeline (black) lower down on the slope, and new temporary gas pipeline (red). The original road bed has slid downslope to where the excavator is working. Equipment is working to clear trees away from the temporary pipeline and create a bench for the pipeline to be on. Photos courtesy Pagosa Ranger District. |
The slide is on U.S. Forest Service land some distance up the East Fork Road, NFSR 667, and has prompted numerous meetings over the past few days between Pagosa Ranger District staff and the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office Emergency Operations Center. The Forest Service has closed the road for the time being, and crews from Xcel Energy Corporation are installing a temporary gas pipeline to bypass a section of pipeline damaged by the slide. Continued...
East Fork slide area. Photo shows the failing slope below the roadbed. For scale, note person dressed in white, just left of center.
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At this time the slide is moving relatively slowly, about four feet per day, according to reports. There has, so far, not been any blockage of the San Juan River.
The Ranger District and Archuleta County sent out a joint press release yesterday and two photographs of the slide site, following yet another emergency planning meeting Wednesday afternoon. The Ranger District has promised to keep the community updated with future press releases as the situation develops.
Here is the joint press release:
DATE: May 14, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This is a Joint Press Release from:
U.S. Forest Service, Pagosa Ranger District Office: Kevin Khung or Phyllis Wheaton; 264-2268
Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office: Peter Gonzalez, Sheriff, 264-8431
East Fork Slide
The East Fork Drainage of the San Juan River in Archuleta County is experiencing a significant natural occurrence, which is not uncommon in this area. This active slide is the result of excessive moisture, snow loading and melt, and natural geological changes.
This is an informational statement from Becca Smith, District Hydrologist, Pagosa Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest: “This slide has been periodically active over the years. The movement this spring has been greater than it has been for the past several years. Currently the slide is moving downhill to the river. The river is eroding the slide material as it reaches the river. The current rate of movement is not fast enough to dam the river. In order for the slide to dam the river, something would have to change within the slide to cause the speed of movement to increase dramatically. While this is possible, it is not typical for this type of slide.”
- This occurrence is within the San Juan National Forest and is affecting the East Fork Road (NFSR 667) in Archuleta County. A number of entities are monitoring conditions.
- Public Safety is of utmost concern due to falling trees, unstable and cracked ground, and an exposed gas line.
- The East Fork Road is currently closed for the season. The USDA Forest Service is issuing a special order for closing the following area to all entry 300 feet either side of the centerline of NFSR 667, beginning immediately east of the East Fork Campground at the closure gate and continuing approximately 4.7 miles to the westernmost boundary of the private property bisected by NFSR 667.
Xcel Energy Corporation has a crew on site repairing, constructing and maintaining the gas pipeline that runs through the area.
The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Center is preparing for all situations that may arise from this natural occurrence. |
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