WYDOT warns drivers: Avoid Purple Sage Road if possible

Warming temperatures have caused rapid melting of lower elevation snowpacks, creating rising levels of water in Sweetwater County. Several areas in Sweetwater County are see flooding impacts as runoff continues to rise. The Wyoming Department of Transportation would like to warn travels of travel impacts on Purple Sage Road, out west of Rock Springs. WYDOT crews are reporting about 10 inches of standing water in certain areas.

"It's passable in one lane or so, but we recommend you avoid the area if you don't have to be out here," WYDOT Maintenance Specialist Paul McGuire said.

McGuire said crews are working to improve drainage in the area and have marked off washed out areas or unsafe sections for local traffic. Once culverts are cleaned and flushed, conditions should improve in the area, McGuire explained.

Other areas under supervision are as follows:

The National Weather Service has issued a flood warnings for the Blacks Fork River near Little America. The water there had risen to 12.0 feet at 7:17 pm Sunday afternoon which is a preliminary record stage for this site. Flood stage is 10.5 feet. 

A Flood Warning is also in effect along the Blacks Fork River from around Granger to Flaming Gorge Reservoir until 10:15 am Tuesday where moderate flooding is expected. Snowmelt runoff will also keep streams, creeks and drainage ditches running high through mid-week across southwest Wyoming. 

A Flood Advisory is in effect for southern Lincoln County and southwest Sublette County. Some flooding has been observed in La Barge over the weekend, and State Highway 372 south of Fontenelle Reservoir is seeing flooding between mile markers 40 and 48. However, 372 remains open.

For more details on this information and other flood issues, visit the National Weather Service.

For information about road conditions and closures, visit WYDOT's Road and Travel Information website.

For more information on road closures and weather conditions, please visit WYDOT's Road and Travel Information website.

For more information concerning WYDOT activities, contact Stephanie Harsha, Public Involvement Specialist, WYDOT District 3, (307) 352-3065.