As per last Wednesday, State Route 223 was the only storm-damaged state highway which remained closed in Elko County. SR-223 is closed between I-80 and Wendover as NDOT makes repairs to extensive flood damage. “The highway to Oasis is still closed 233 from Nevada border to Utah border is still closed. “The only way you can get to Montello is to Pilot Valley Road”, says Janell Green, whose mother leaves in Montello. Numerous areas of the roadway were washed away by heavy flood waters , with as much as 12-foot deep caverns carved through the road.
As floodwaters receded, the Nevada Department of Transportation mobilized road contractor Granite Construction to begin repairs.
With extensive earthwork needed to rebuild the roadway, there is no time frame for reopening the highway.
U.S. 93 reopened between Wells and Jackpot as of 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, and is currently open to traffic in both directions. The highway closed on Feb. 9 due to flooding and water over the roadway, specifically near Salmon Falls Creek.
Water receded over the last weekend and U.S. 93 north of Wells was reopened.
The floodwaters eroded some areas of roadway shoulder, and NDOT will continue repairs to the shoulder over coming weeks. The Salmon Falls Creek rest area near Jackpot remains closed following flooding at the facility.
Last Wednesday, February 8th, Twentyone Mile Dam near Montello, broke and caused flooding to the Union Pacific Railroad line near Lucin, Nevada and flooded the town of Montello.
Nevada’s state water engineer says an earthen dam that burst near the Utah line passed an inspection last summer.
Jason King, state engineer for Nevada’s Water Resources Division, said Thursday the dam used to hold water for rural irrigation in Elko County received a “fair” rating in June on a scale of “poor, fair and satisfactory.” He said in an email that inspectors recommended some improvements,
including the removal of deep-rooted vegetation and the monitoring of areas where seepage occurs.
But that there were “no issues identified as needing immediate attention.”
King said the Twentyone Mile Dam that broke near Montello on Wednesday is considered a “low hazard structure,” which means any breach is not expected to cause loss of life.
Nevada’s state water engineer says an earthen dam
Elko County in northeast Nevada has declared a state of emergency due to heavy rains that caused an earthen dam to burst, washed out a state highway and triggered flash flooding near the Utah line.
Elko County Sheriff Jim Pitts says county commissioners approved the state of emergency last Thursday as his deputies searched for anyone who might be stranded.
No injuries have been reported. Authorities say there appears to be extensive damage to several ranches and farms. Most of the region remains under a flood warning.
Pitts says about 30 residences have been impacted by the floodwaters in Montello since the Twentyone Mile Dam broke Wednesday afternoon. A 10-mile stretch of State Route 233 remains closed.
Pitts says the emergency declaration will make the county eligible for state assistance.
Authorities say that the fast-moving waters that covered low-lying roads forced the rerouting of trains. A spokesman for Union Pacific Railroad says the waters forced delays or rerouting for more than a dozen freight and passenger trains.
The National Weather Service said Thursday that flash-flood warnings have expired, but flood warnings remain in effect near Montello. Meteorologist Brian Boyd says most of the water that’s built up behind the dam after heavy snow and runoff has now been released.
Justin E. Jacobs says crews are assessing washed out and damaged areas. It’s unknown when service will be restored.
