Authorities divert Weber River in search of boy's body

Weber County officials used heavy machinery Thursday to divert a portion of the Weber River in an attempt to find a 4-year-old boy presumed drowned.

On Day 6 of the search for Corbin Anderson, crews used track hoes to dig a ditch to divert water and lower the level of the river in the area of 300 W. Exchange Road, where the Layton boy disappeared on Saturday.

"We still think he is within 100 yards of where he fell in the water," said Weber County Sheriff's office Lt. Mark Lowther on Thursday.

Corbin fell into the river while standing on a boulder as his family was taking pictures of him. Family members could not reach him before the waters carried him away.

After five days of fruitless searching, the county got approval from Ogden City and the Utah State Division of Natural Resources, as well as a permit from the state, to lower the river.

"The river is in our way and we are moving it," Lowther said. "A lot of people have come together to make this happen."

In addition to the cutting the diversion channel, Echo Reservoir will close their flood gates upstream, the effect of which will be seen in the search area about 18 hours later.

Lowther said he doesn't expect to see that drastic lowering of the river until the weekend. At that point, divers will be able to get back into the water.

Meanwhile, police continue to walk the river area where the boy was last seen.

EK Bailey Construction is donating manpower and equipment to the effort, and Weber County road crews are also helping with the water diversion.

Two women speaking on behalf of the victim's family told KUTV 2News on Monday that donations are being taken at America First Credit Union and Wells Fargo Bank branches under Corbin's name.

cimaron@sltrib.com

Twitter: @CimCity