Officials block breach in southeast Wyoming canal
LINGLE - A breach in the Interstate Canal near Lingle was blocked Friday afternoon, but according to the Goshen County Emergency Management office, flooding continued in and around the southeast Wyoming town.
Two thirds of the community was under evacuation.
Water was over roadways and some low-water crossings had the possibility of becoming impassable.
The National Weather Service Office in Cheyenne called the levee breach a "particularly dangerous situation" Friday morning. A flash flood warning was issued until 4 p.m. Friday for central Goshen County, including Lingle and Highway 26.
Emergency Management said the breach on the canal, which occurred at approximately 6 a.m., was one mile west of Lingle and was widening at 10:09 a.m. Friday.
Hundreds of local business owners, church, community people, school personal, local ranchers and farmers came to help fill sandbags at North Hills Baptist Church. A UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter landed at the North Hills Baptist Church to carry a large tote bag of sand to pour over the flooded area weighting roughly 1,000 pounds.
According to the Wyoming Division of the Bureau of Land Management, more than 90,000 irrigated acres will experience a temporary discontinuation of water service. Preliminary inspections estimated the canal can be returned to service in a matter of days.
Meanwhile, Pathfinder Irrigation District is on site working to place rip-rap in the breach to minimize flooding and retain as much water in the canal as possible.
The canal is over 100 years old and was constructed during 1905-1915. It follows the contour of the land for 95 miles from Whalen Diversion Dam to Lake Alice and Lake Minatare Reservoirs northeast of Scottsbluff.
Damage estimates from the flood are not known at this time.
A flood advisory remains in effect until 8 a.m. Saturday. The NWS says to be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.
This story includes information from Chadrad Radio and NBC Nebraska - Scottsbluff.
