Flood waters again flowing across US 26 west of Riverton; highway closed, detour open

A second round of rising flood water flowing across US 26 late Saturday night has forced Wyoming Department of Transportation personnel to close the highway until water recedes.

WYDOT personnel are stationed at the road-closed gates on each end of the closure, and they are available to assist drivers with information regarding detours. The road-closed gates will be manned throughout as long as water continues to flow across US 26.

Water is flowing across the highway at milepost 104, about 30 miles west of Riverton.

A signed traffic detour for westbound traffic is open at US 26’s junction with WYO 132, about 20 miles west of Riverton. A signed traffic detour is open for eastbound traffic at Diversion Dam junction (US 26 and US 287), about 35 miles west of Riverton.

Westbound drivers on US 26 leaving Riverton are being asked to drive south to WYO 132’s intersection with US 287, then north through Fort Washakie to the Diversion Dam junction (US 26 and US 287), where drivers can then resume their westbound trip toward Dubois, Yellowstone National Park and Jackson.

Eastbound drivers on US 287 leaving Dubois are being asked to turn south on US 287 toward Lander at the Diversion Dam Junction, and then to turn north on WYO 132 and drive to US 26 near Kinnear, where drivers can then resume their eastbound trip toward Riverton and Casper.

“The water started flowing across the highway again sometime during the night,” said WYDOT Maintenance Foreman Robin Clapp of Riverton. “The highway will remain closed until water recedes.”

Flood waters from the Wind River have been rising earlier this month, and water started flowing cross US 26 beginning June 7. Lower mountain temperatures and a cold front led to water receding and the highway reopening Sunday morning, June 11. A week later, the highway is closed again.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience,” Clapp said.

For information about this news release, contact WYDOT public relations specialist Cody Beers at (307) 431-1803.