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Mayor Mike Mendenhall signs an emergency declaration for flooding of the Spanish Fork River at the Spanish Fork city offices on Monday, May 1, 2023.

Courtesy Spanish Fork City

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High flows in the Spanish Fork River are shown on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald

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High flows in the Spanish Fork River are shown on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald

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A "trail closed" sign blocks residents from accessing the Spanish Fork River Trail, and the river, on Friday, April 14, 2023.

Harrison Epstein, Daily Herald

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Mike Mendenhall, mayor of Spanish Fork, signed an emergency declaration on Monday for current and imminent flooding expected in the city. The Spanish Fork River’s water levels are expected to rise quickly and immediately.

“The runoff this week is going to test our river’s capacity,” Mendenhall said. “City crews have done a lot of work in preparing the river channel for the snow melt and volunteers have shown up in force and filled thousands of sandbags over the weekend. Issuing this emergency declaration is the next step as we start reacting to the river.”

This official declaration will allow Spanish Fork to receive state resources and funds to aid mitigation efforts over the next few weeks of expected flooding. Despite the many efforts of city workers and volunteers across Utah County to clear debris from the river’s path, a large amount of green waste has been seen traveling downstream as snowpack melts.

“Right now, one of our biggest concerns is bridge capacity. If water can’t go under the bridge, we want to help get water over the bridge and away from homes and businesses,” Mendenhall said.

The city is warning residents to continue to keep streets, yards, areas around trash cans and sewer drains free of trash and branches. If this debris ends up in the river, it can slow or even stop the river’s path, causing its water to overflow into town.

Residents are advised to stay clear of the river and pay special attention to keep children and pets away from its fast-flowing current. Recreational river activities during flooding season pose a risk of injury or death. The city recommends avoiding tubing, swimming, picnicking and any other activities near the banks or in the river’s waters.

The city is still looking for additional volunteers to help fill sandbags. People can volunteer from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday and must sign up at spanishfork.org/flood before arriving. Participants are encouraged to bring gloves, wear sunscreen and closed-toed shoes, and be able to lift 50 pounds. Shovels will be provided.

Residents are encouraged to stay up-to-date on the river’s water levels by checking for new posts on spanishfork.org/flood as well as the city’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

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