Daily Herald file photo

As the anniversary nears of the the Salt Lake City “river” flood nearly 40 years ago, long-time Utah County residents still remember the streams flowing out of the canyons east of the city around the same time.

In 1984, a sandbag channel out of Slate Canyon had more than 90,000 sandbags holding more than 2,625 tons of sand. It took 1,455 volunteers over 3,770 hours to construct the Slate Canyon channel. Sandbags also lined the streets around the Provo Temple and ran down 900 East past the new Provo Missionary Training Center.

While the record-breaking modern snowpack is helpful for drought conditions, once again, Provo City is actively preparing for potential flooding as a precautionary measure.

“We are monitoring areas with excessive snowpack to determine water volume and better understand potential flood risks should the warming weather create concerns,” Provo City Public Works director Dave Decker said.

According to Decker, Provo’s flood preparation committee began holding weekly meetings in February.

Courtesy Provo City

“Since the last major flood 40 years ago, Provo has been improving its storm water system as the city continues to grow and develop,” Decker said. “We are currently planning and coordinating with internal and external agencies to prepare for any type of flood emergency, including identifying areas with the biggest flood risk and developing routes to divert water to protect the residents and homes.”

Provo City has also secured sandbags to add to their existing inventory. Should flooding occur, the city will notify residents of pick-up locations.

“Our crews are working on flood prevention by cleaning our storm drains and clearing away vegetation or runoff materials that could clog the system. Crews will also clear the Provo River of debris impeding water flow,” Decker said. “Residents can help by keeping gutters and storm drains clear of any yard waste and garbage.”

Part of Provo’s water management approach is to take advantage of wet years, similar to this one. Aquifer Storage and Recovery projects allow the city to store excess water in its aquifers, helping replenish declining groundwater levels.

“As we monitor and prepare for potential floods, we ask that residents help by keeping an eye out for flooding. If you notice any blocked storm drains, please contact Provo 311 or the Public Works Storm Water Division at 801-852-6700,” said Nicole Martin, Provo City Communications Director. “If the likelihood of flooding increases, we will release additional information to help residents know how to prepare and volunteer to help in case of an emergency.”