High water hits parts of Jefferson County

People who live or have property in southwest Jefferson County are on flood-watch this week.

Jefferson County Emergency Manager Rebecca Squires said people living in the Kettle Butte drainage, near the Cannon Dairy, were experiencing high water Thursday. Most of the field snow in that area is now gone, but there is still a lot of snow remaining on the north face of the Butte.

Currently, 2600 East from County Line to 200 North and 2100 East between 100 North and 400 North are closed to traffic. In other areas across Jefferson County there may be water on road edges and in low spots. Caution signs mark many of the flooded areas, but it is important for motorists to use extreme caution.

“It takes only a few inches of moving water to sweep a car off of a road,” Squires said. “Also, if you can’t see the roadway, you have no idea if it’s even there anymore or how deep the water is. If in doubt, don’t risk it.”

So far, she said the situation appears to be nowhere near as bad as the floods of 2017, which caused extensive road and property damage in the area.

The worst of the early season flooding may be close to over, but weather conditions could rapidly change that.

Roads may be muddy or difficult to navigate and people with livestock, hay or other property may be threatened. There are no structures in danger at this time, but there are potato cellars and farm equipment stored in the area.

The 18-square mile affected area ranges from County Line to 600 North and 2600 East to 2300 East.