Oregon rivers rise; floodwaters close roads
(Update: ODOT Wed. AM update; some standing water; C.O. roads open; Hwy. 26 closure at Picture Gorge may be lengthy)
The rain eased off Tuesday across much of Oregon, but rivers were on the rise and flooding issues continued to mount in several areas, while ODOT reopened state Highway 58 near Oakridge in the evening.
ODOT advised Tuesday morning that the Paulina Highway, Oregon Highway 380, had one lane closed at mile point 16.6 southeast of Prineville due to flooding.
“Traffic is being flagged through and that may continue into the night,” officials said. “Please slow down, be alert and be patient.”
The Crook County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency said Tuesday afternoon that state Highway 380 between Prineville and Post/Paulina still had high water at milepost 16.5. ODOT has placed high water signs and will have lighting and flaggers during the evening and overnight hours, Emergency Manger Michael Ryan said.
ODOT said in an update Wednesday morning that “many roads in Central Oregon still have standing water but all are open at this time.”
Traffic was still getting through on one lane of the Paulina Highway (Oregon 380) southeast of Prineville.
“Continue to drive with caution,” the agency advised, “as the wet ground can let trees and mud slide down roads at any time.”
Crook County Emergency Management is monitoring river, road and bridge conditions in the upper Crooked River areas and will update as necessary, Ryan said.
The Crooked River is running high and fast, he said, with the current inflow into Prineville Reservoir at nearly 8,000 cubic feet per second.
Lake out-flow at Bowman Dam is at 3000 csf, the maximum outflow for the dam. But Ryan noted that Prineville Reservoir does have 29,000 cubic acre feet of room for incoming water.
“All other roads, rivers and bridges in the remainder of the county are operating without incident,” Ryan said.
High-water issues were appearing around the High Desert as well, approaching picnic benches at Cline Falls State Park west of Redmond and flooding play structures at Gervais Park along the Crooked River in Prineville.
Jefferson County sheriff’s deputies said on Facebook they were monitoring high water levels, including minor flooding along the Deschutes River between the Warm Springs boat launch and Mecca Flats campground. Officials said their biggest concern was a trailer court next to the river and Highway 26 West.
In Camp Sherman, they said, rising water flooded a trail near the Lake Creek Lodge. “Willow Creek in Madras was said to be “flowing nicely” and not causing any concerns as of Tuesday.
Meanwhile, state Highway 58, closed since Sunday by slides and downed trees, reopened just before 6 p.m. Tuesday, ODOT reported.
At milepost 27 between Lowell and Oakridge, about 4,000 yards of mud, rocks and trees slid down the hill between Sunday and Monday night. Smaller slides occurred at mileposts 28, 15, and 14.
Crews also continue to remove trees damaged by the February snow storm east and west of Oakridge.
There are multiple work zones, ODOT said, warning drivers to watch for crews and plan for several stops along the route.
Where traffic is routed through or around a work zone, pedestrians, including those with disabilities, will also be provided routes through or around the work zone.
Late Tuesday afternoon, ODOT listed several roads in Eastern Oregon closed due to flooding: US Highway 26 through Picture Gorge (4 miles west of intersection with Oregon 19, John Day Highway), MP 94-126; US 26, 2 miles west of Mount Vernon, MP 152-150; John Day Highway, Oregon 19, 1 mile north of intersection with US 26, MP 124-105; Oregon 19, MP 105 (just north of Kimberly); Oregon 402, MP 1.8 – 4 (2 miles east of Kimberly).
ODOT said crews are monitoring water levels and road conditions and will reopen the roads as soon as it is safe. However, they added that when water recedes, there may be road damage, and advised travelers to be alert for high water and slides.
On Wednesday, ODOT said the Highway 26 closure through Picture Gorge could be lengthy, as the high water may have affected material beneath the roadway. They said crews will inspect the roads when the water recedes.
Check traffic updates at our ODOT TripCheck page.
KGW reported flood warnings still in effect Tuesday for rivers in Clackamas, Marion, Lane, Benton and Linn counties.
In Lane County, several homes are surrounded by water and roads covered with deep and fast-moving water, the sheriff’s office said Tuesday morning.
About 500 people are evacuated from their homes after record-breaking rain that’s also shut down roads and forced officials to close schools in the hardest-hit communities.
The Register Guard reported that more than 4.3 inches of rain had fallen in Eugene since Thursday — a record-breaking 2.34 inches of rain on Sunday alone.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is releasing more water than usual from its Willamette River reservoirs to prevent overflow.
In Lake County, authorities asked the public to stay home, unless an emergency, and schools were closed due to high water, while crews worked to place sandbags and the city of Lakeview was dealing with flooding in several areas as Bullard and Deadman creeks overflowed their banks.
Grant County also was dealing with floodwaters and the watermaster allowed ditch owners to open ditches to help alleviate flood pressure. A Red Cross shelter was set up at the John Day LDS church, with water reported across Highway 26 at Picture Gorge and east of Dayville.
Wheeler County dispatchers notified residents Tuesday they “need to be aware of the flooding issues along the John Day River.”
“The John Day River will continue to rise to 40 cfs (cubic feed per second) or above. The river will overflow it banks in many places. Obey all road closures as they occur. Travel may be extremely hazardous.
“For your safety it is advised that you do not travel east or west along the John Day Highway or (in) the Twickenham area until the river recedes or becomes open to traffic.”
