Yellowstone Closed

[Serk]

I posted this on another thread but felt it deserved it's own thread as a heads up for Inzane attendees:

Statement from superintendent Cam Sholly about flooding in Yellowstone National Park:
“Due to record flooding events in the park and more precipitation in the forecast, we have made the decision to close Yellowstone to all inbound visitation," said superintendent Cam Sholly. "Our first priority has been to evacuate the northern section of the park where we have multiple road and bridge failures, mudslides and other issues. The community of Gardiner is currently isolated, and we are working with the county and State of Montana to provide necessary support to residents, who are currently without water and power in some areas. Due to predictions of higher flood levels in areas of the park’s southern loop, in addition to concerns with water and wastewater systems, we will begin to move visitors in the southern loop out of the park later today in coordination with our in-park business partners. We will not know timing of the park’s reopening until flood waters subside and we're able to assess the damage throughout the park. It is likely that the northern loop will be closed for a substantial amount of time. I appreciate the efforts of the Yellowstone team and partners to safely evacuate areas of the park and of our gateway community partners who are helping us through this major event. We appreciate the support offered by the Department of Interior, National Park Service and the Montana and Wyoming governors."
We will continue to communicate about this hazardous situation as more information is available. More info: go.nps.gov/220613
Photo (NPS): High water levels in the Lamar River eroding the Northeast Entrance Road.

https://www.facebook.com/YellowstoneNPS/posts/5912130245468947

[Valkorado]

Wow, crazy.  Y'all have fun anyway!

[Sweet Cheeks]

Thanks for posting Serk. 

[Ice]

Friends, I just received this through my work email and thought I'd share for those who may have had plans to head to Yellowstone or Beartooth.

Due to major flooding that has occurred (and is occurring) in the park's northern range, the northern loop of Yellowstone was closed to visitor access at approximately 9:00 a.m. this morning. The park is continuing to move visitors out of Mammoth, Tower/Roosevelt and the northern road corridor. The northern loop will likely remain closed for an extended period of time.

The town of Gardiner is cut off currently due to flooding closures outside the park on MT Highway 89 at Yankee Jim Canyon. Access to the park through the north entrance from Gardiner is closed due to rockfalls and failing roadways within the park. Conditions are currently too dangerous to evaluate and more rain is forecasted. Multiple Gardiner residents report no water, power, and potentially failing sewer lines. The park is working to support Gardiner residents. If the road at Yankee Jim is substantially compromised, we will be working a plan with the State to fly in supplies to Gardiner residents while trying to assess how to get stranded visitors out of town.

Access to the park from Cooke City is closed due to missing sections of road near Soda Butte Creek in addition to mudslides and downed trees. Road access east of Cooke City (Chief Joseph's) is still available. Beartooth Highway will be closed for the foreseeable future due to predicted snow above 8000' and lack of staff to maintain the road.

Mudslides have been reported on Dunraven Pass which has been closed between Canyon and Tower.

Multiple backcountry visitors may be stranded due to washed out bridges and highwater. The park will begin assessing the number of people in the backcountry and develop plans to evacuate using the park's helicopter and other means if necessary.

Water and waste water systems at Canyon Village and Mammoth are being impacted by flooding conditions. 

The road at sliding meadows south of Canyon is potentially compromised and is currently closed for evaluation. Visitors leaving Canyon should go to Norris and then south. Visitor leaving Lake or Grant should go out East or South while still passible. 

We have made the decision to close all park entrances to inbound traffic for minimally the next few days.

[t-man403]

Man does that suck!
Reminds me of 2013 when we flooded here and wiped out bridges and roads  .
We’ve had two days of steady rainfall and there will be more today. Rivers are very high and with the spring runoff combined, they will get higher. 

[carolinarider09]

Just saw this on the GL1800riders forum.  Drone footage from Red Lodge on June 12, 2022.

https://youtu.be/Tld1LmRbBLw

And from June 14, 2022

https://youtu.be/Z3WC_nttU7I

[..]

Over 3,888,949 readers this year!

WEATHER

Record Yellowstone River flooding forces Billings to shut down water plant Wednesday

By BRENDAN LACHANCE

|

20 hours ago

     

Flooding on the Yellowstone River forced the City of Billings to shut down its water plant Wednesday. (Billings City Government, Facebook)

CASPER, Wyo. — A “500-year flooding event” has forced the City of Billings, Montana, to shut down its water plant, the city announced Wednesday morning.

Water levels were over 16 feet at around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. The City of Billings said the river needs to be at 15 feet or below for its plant to operate effectively and is asking residents to conserve water while the plant is shut down.

“The water system has between a day to a day-and-a-half of water supply for Billings,” the announcement said. “The duration of the issue is unpredictable, but hydrographs from the National Weather Service show water levels dropping two feet after it reaches its crest. The latest prediction shows the Yellowstone River cresting on Wednesday.”

[Jess from VA]

If the hotel has a pool, everyone can take a bath together.   

Rub a dub dub.   

[Serk]

If the hotel has a pool, everyone can take a bath together.   

Rub a dub dub.   

Nice pool, but I didn't need that visual... 

[Jess from VA]

I was in Germany, attending a tax seminar put on by Army JAG (every year) for all the Army and USAF JAGs in Europe responsible for organizing and running various base legal assistance tax help for active duty and dependents at their own bases (Lucky me, I hated taxes, but I loved the trip).

It was going to be in Berlin (as usual), but there was such a (storied) history of all night drinking and carousing at these things over the years (with everyone sleeping through daily classes), that they moved it to a little Burg that was famous for natural hot springs and baths (piped into pools).  And it had a big conference center (like Inzane always has) for all our classes.

So after the first day of classes everyone wanted to go over the the natural hot springs bath/pool, and when we show up all the locals are all buck naked (old, really old, children, everyone).

There was an immediate discussion of whether this would be conduct unbecoming officers, but it was decided that when in Rome do what the Romans do.  A bunch of the guys went in naked, and others didn't, and absolutely none of the female officers did, which was kind of a bummer.    

One can bathe with a bathing suit on, the problem would be all the soap suds, bubbles and ring around the pool.    

[carolinarider09]

While it probably is no longer an issue that needs to be "reported" here is an update from the ST Owners forum regarding access.

To balance the demand for visitor access, park resource protection and economic interests of the communities, the park will institute an interim visitor access plan. The interim plan, referred to as the Alternating License Plate System (ALPS), was suggested as a solution by gateway communities during major public engagement with the park this past week. Park managers and partners have agreed this system is the best interim solution to ensuring the south loop does not become overwhelmed by visitors. The National Park Service will actively monitor the license plate system and is concurrently building a new reservation system that will be ready for implementation if needed.

Alternating License Plate System (ALPS)

Public vehicle entry will be allowed based on whether the last numerical digit on a license plate is odd or even.

Entrance will be granted based on odd/even days on the calendar.
Odd-numbered last digits on license plates can enter on odd days of the month.
Even-numbered last digits (including zero) on license plates can enter on even days of the month.

Personalized plates (all letters, for example "YLWSTNE") will fall into the “odd” category for entrance purposes.

Plates with a mix of letters and numbers but that end with a letter (for example "YELL4EVR") will still use the last numerical digit on the plate to determine entrance days.

Entrance station staff will turn away vehicles attempting to enter the park when the odd/even numerical digits do not correspond to the odd/even calendar date for entrance.

Posted here: 

https://www.st-owners.com/forums/threads/yellowstone-red-lodge-flooding.180811/#post-2378006

[Skinhead]

That is stupid.  What if you are traveling in a group of bikes, are they going to turn away portions of your group?  The government could F-up a wet dream.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I imagine the small towns that cater to the tourists appreciate it. I’m not sure what better way the government could come up with a better way of limiting the inundation.

[carolinarider09]

That is stupid.  What if you are traveling in a group of bikes, are they going to turn away portions of your group?  The government could F-up a wet dream.

I did not quote the whole post.  A couple of posts down there was this.

Those who have proof of a confirmed reservation at the various accommodations that are open may enter the park regardless of their license tag information.

Groups of motorcycles will be admitted on even-numbered days only. [KTA: I presume this is due to the likelihood that a group of bikes is likely to have some plates that match the "odd" pattern and others that match the "even" pattern.)