Runoff is overflowing

Alexis Barker
NLJ Reporter
 
At least two county roads have been closed and one bridge damaged due to excess water and ice thawing after the winter season, according to Road and Bridge Secretary Brooke Weigel. 
Newcastle and surrounding areas received roughly 33 inches of snow throughout the winter season that didn’t have the chance to melt, so it accumulated, said Paul Eitel Natural Resource Conservation Service District Conservationist. 
“Last year to date we had 34.9 inches, and this year we have had 33 inches. The difference this year is it sat there; last year it melted between storms, and this year it is melting all at once,” Eitel said. “That is why we are seeing water everywhere.” 
He said that flooding in Wyoming, and more specifically in Weston County, is not as widespread as it is in other states. Still, there are issues. 
“There have been county roads and a few bridges reported as damaged due to the melting winter precipitation,” Eitel said. “A few damns have also washed out that I am aware of.” 
According to Weigel, Lynch and Morrissey roads are closed due to road damages and the Black Thunder Bridge on the Cheyenne River Road has been damaged. 
“Morrissey and Lynch are washed out and in need of repairs in spots along the road,” Weigel said. “Black Thunder Bridge on the Cheyenne River Road has been damaged by chunks of ice. On March 29, Road and Bridge put up a gate on both sides of the bridge. Wyoming Department of Transportation’s bridge inspector will be in the area this week to look at the bridge. We will have a plan after we hear back from the bridge inspector.” 
Weigel said that, to date, Road and Bridge has made repairs to the Cheyenne River Road, Christensen Road, Upton Fairview Road, Musser Road, Fiddler Creek Road, Grieves Road, Morrissey Road, Mush Creek Road, Oil City Road, Raven Creek Road and Soda Butte Road. 
Both Eitel and Weigel stressed the importance for people experiencing flooding to report to either office, Natural Resource Conservation Service: 746-3264 and Weston County Road and Bridge: 746-2642. 
“We have also updated our issue-reporting form on our webpage. Citizens can upload photos to show us exactly what the damage is,” Weigel said. “This is also a great tool for FEMA documentation. We have begun documenting how much gravel is being hauled to which roads, the cost of repairs to each road and how many hours our employees are spending on the damage.”