Pinedale High Water and Flooding Update
by Terry Allen
June 22, 2017
Thought I'd write 22,000 words in picture form and see how you all liked it. That's 22 pictures times 1000 words (a picture is worth a thousand words).
The only picture my plan doesn't seem to work on is Jim Mitchell's picture. He's our Emergency Management Coordinator for Sublette County, so I'll add a few more words.
There are 5 computer monitors on his desk and two smart phones. He also has radios/scanners of course. Jim's fingers flew like a piano maestro on a keyboard that could access all 5 screens. While I was there Jim showed me fresh satellite images of road washouts, potential washouts, high water readings at various places in the county. He gets a water height reading for all locations every 15 minutes. He can zoom in on the leaning aspen tree north of Harmony bridge which is a threat to tubers and other recreational water users.
Another reason creek and river use is restricted is the bridge clearance. With only a foot...more or less of clearance, drift boats, tubers and others could find themselves in a bad situation in a hurry. Jim asks that all boaters on lakes or hikers along streams to call in trees and other floating debris that could be a safety hazard.
Take a look at the big water coming out of Fremont lake dam. Jim said, right now water is coming out at 2932 cubic feet per second. That is like 2932 basketballs coming at you in one second. No matter what kind of a superman you think you are...you can't handle that.
Jim asks that everyone sign up for the Sublette County Citizen Emergency Notification System. You can access the notifications to your computer and also your smart phone. If you screen calls like I do, the number that will call you is 307-200-4366. Here is the link: http://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/?regionID=1075
You can also become a member of https://www.facebook.com/Sublette-County-Emergency-Management-579372758805868/ There is some great information there and great videos from around the county.
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