Item: Snow Avalanches in Provo Canyon, Utah
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Title: Snow Avalanches in Provo Canyon, Utah
Proceedings: Proceedings of the 1994 International Snow Science Workshop, Snowbird, Utah, USA
Authors:
- Kevin Griffith [ Region Three Avalanche Forecaster, Utah Department of Transportation, 825 North 900 West, Orem, Utah, 84057-3958, USA ]
Date: 1994
Abstract: This paper discusses the Utah Department of Transportation's (UDOT) implementation of an avalanche forecasting and explosive control program for the avalanche paths that threaten US Highway 189.This section of US Highway 189 is located in Utah's Wasatch Mountains between the of city Orem and Deer Creek Reservoir. UDOT Region Three's jurisdiction also includes the avalanche paths in American Fork Canyon and Daniels Canyon although they will not be discussed in this paper. Until January 1994 UDOT did not have a full-time program to control avalanches on US Highway 189. UDOT instead relied upon its avalanche forecasters located in Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons. These canyons are located approximately 29 km (18 miles) to the north by air. Highway travel distance is approximately 65 km (40 miles). Because these UDOT forecasters spent a considerable amount of time (often twenty-four hours a day) controlling the frequent avalanches that crossUtah State Road 210 in Little Cottonwood Canyon and Utah State Road 190 in Big Cottonwood Canyon, they were only able to perform sporadic avalanche forecasting and control in Provo Canyon. The geography and weather in the northern Utah mountains often prevented these forecasters from traveling to Provo Canyon since storm and avalanche cycles often make mountain travel nearly impossible.
Object ID: issw-1994-439-448.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: forecasting, explosives, avalanche path, starting zone
Page Number(s): 439-448
Subjects: avalanche control avalanche forecasting explosives
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