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Water levels are beginning to recede in Cache and Weber counties after rivers rose several feet over their normal levels overnight. However, flood warnings are still active through Tuesday morning.
The Blacksmith Fork River in Cache County was about 8 feet high when it crested at 2 a.m. and was flowing at 1,300 cubic feet per second. Normally, it is at just more than 5 feet with a flow of 350 cfs, said Mike Seaman, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
Sunday morning, the Country Manor subdivision was evacuated as water filled the streets, but people were able to return home just after noon when officials pumped the water out of the area.
In Weber County, the South Fork of the Ogden River crested at 5.5 feet and a flow of 1,550 cfs, while it typically is about 3.5 feet and flows at 500 cfs, Seaman said.
The rivers often peak in the middle of the night after the snowmelt that occurred through the day wends its way through smaller tributaries to get into the main rivers.
About 30 homes and cabins between Causey and Pineview reservoirs were threatened Sunday, with several homes having water in them and many yards and outbuildings flooding, said Eli Johnson of the Weber County Sheriff's Office. However, Monday morning, the flooding had stopped.
"The cooler temperatures have given us a few days to regroup and regather supplies and to see what we have to look forward to this weekend and the beginning of next week," Johnson said.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning through 4:15 p.m. Tuesday for the South Fork of the Ogden River below the Causey Reservoir, which is expected to exceed flood levels. The high waters have damaged campgrounds and local roads in the area, and the reservoir is currently full and spilling about 850 cfs. Other flows have combined to put the channel well above its capacity.
While damage is minor, the river is extremely dangerous for anyone trying to cross it, the weather service said.
The weather service also has issued a flood advisory for the Green River in Uintah County near Jensen from Wednesday evening until Friday morning. At 7 a.m. Monday, the river was at 9.2 feet, which is just above the 9-foot bankfull level. Flood stage is 10.8 feet.
Logan City Police Assistant Chief Jeff Curtis said Monday morning attention is turning further north to the Logan River, which is also expected to flood as the weather warms. The Logan River peaked at 4 a.m. Monday at 4.7 feet and 1,135 cubic feet per second. Flood level is five feet.
"We're really focusing on the coming weekend when the Logan River is expected to peak," Curtis said. "We're watching where the Logan and the Little Bear River come together."
Elsewhere, such as in Cache Valley's Blacksmith Fork River, water levels should continue to lower to below flood levels by Tuesday as cooler weather moves in, bringing valley rain and mountain snow. Temperatures will be between 10 to 15 degrees below normal throughout the week.
"With the colder weather, we won't see as much snowmelt, if any at all," Seaman said. "We may remain above flood for a couple of days because there is so much water in the system."
Reporter Arrin Newton-Brunson contributed to this article.
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