News - Local
Snow melt leaves behind river of mud, closing road
Posted: Mar 18, 2010 9:55 AM by Bea Karnes, News First 5
Updated: Mar 18, 2010 9:55 AM
Melting mountain snow has triggered a mud flow near a rock slide area in La Plata County, leaving behind muck as deep as 4 feet in some spots on East Animas Road along the Animas River. County workers closed the road Tuesday as mud and debris coursed down Missionary Ridge northeast of Durango.
County Office of Emergency Management director Butch Knowlton says it's too early to say when the road could reopen but it could be weeks. He says there's still 4 feet of snow above the rock slide area. More snow was expected Thursday and Friday, and the seasonal snow melt will continue as temperatures rise.
East Animas Road resident Mike Bruce says he has seen beach ball-sized boulders and one the size of a school bus coming down.
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