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Rockfalls, Flash Floods Impact Zion National Park

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Published Date

July 12, 2018

Flood debris on Zion-Mount Carmel Highway in Zion National Park/NPS

Almost 3 inches of rain turned the Virgin River in Zion National Park into a raging torrent, while rock and mud slides blocked the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway in the park.

Summer in the Southwest routinely brings monsoonal rains to the region, and on Wednesday that translated into nearly 3 inches of rain in three hours in the park.

The Virgin River, normally little more than a trickle through Zion Canyon, produced a flash flood Wednesday night when the stream's flow jumped to 5,410 cubic feet per second. Roughly 12 hours earlier in the day the river was running at less than 31 CFS, according to park staff.

Flood debris on Zion-Mount Carmel Highway in Zion National Park/NPS

Rock and mud slides have closed the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway in Zion National Park/NPS

With another wet forecast Thursday, staff said the chance of another flash flood is "probable." 

Out on the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway, there have been several rock and debris slides on the switchbacks below the tunnel. As a result, the Zion-Mount Carmel Highway has been closed indefinitely between Canyon Junction and the park's East Entrance. Road crews were assessing the damage before removing the debris, making repairs, and reopening roadway.

The Scenic Drive in Zion Canyon is open up to shuttle stop number 6, the Grotto. Visitors may still take the park's free canyon shuttle to this stop, but may not walk further up the Scenic Drive towards more stops.

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Comments

Submitted by y_p_w on July 12, 2018 - 6:31pm.

I've been up to my belly button in the Virgin River Narrows before.  I remember the recommendation was to check the weather report at one of the visitor centers and to not even try it if there were enough clouds.


Submitted by ecbuck on July 12, 2018 - 7:24pm.

Said it before, will say it again Nature (and water) always wins.


Submitted by Tine on March 6, 2021 - 10:47am.

I was on this road when this flash flood happene, it wac crazy but help came quickly.


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