Ogden Canyon reopens after river flooding causes road collapse

OGDEN — State Route 39 through Ogden Canyon is open again after part of the roadway was washed out by the river earlier Thursday.

The Utah Department of Transportation officials announced shortly after 8 p.m. that the canyon had reopened to general traffic, albeit with a “one-way, alternating traffic configuration” in the damaged area. Drivers should expect some delays.

The agency had issued an emergency alert for the canyon Thursday morning, originally saying “there is no estimated time of opening.” The Weber County Sheriff’s Office added the road was closed to all traffic except Ogden Canyon residents and encouraged travelers to use Trappers Loop or the divide road to travel to or from the upper Ogden Valley.

The damage occurred around a mile east of the mouth of the canyon, where crews are now working to repair the road, according to deputies.

A river flood advisory is in effect for the Ogden River below Pineview Reservoir, according to the National Weather Service, which said there is “minor flooding” being reported in Ogden Canyon. Weber High School students who live in the valley were taken home using Trappers Loop.

“This will be a longer bus ride for the students, but we will get them home safely,” said a text message sent out by the school.

The Ogden River flow level was at 6.98 feet Thursday morning, which is in the action stage but below the minor flood stage of 7.5 feet, according to National Weather Service.