1/16/2013
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Springs Fire from Summer 2012 still causing problems; Zimmer Creek culvert north of Banks is latest victim
BOISE - Although the Springs Fire in southwest Idaho hit its apex in August 2012, consuming more than 6,150 acres, the negative affects are still being felt. The latest concession to the fire is the lack of runoff control now that all of the underbrush and vegetation has been burned off in the area.
As soon as the ground thaws sufficiently this spring, likely in late February or early March, a pipe culvert at Zimmer Creek on Idaho 55 about two miles north of Banks will be cleaned out by the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) in anticipation of large spring runoffs. The Forest Service predicts double the amount of runoff this spring due to loss of ground cover that would prevent erosion.
Click here for picture of pipe.
The pipe has been in place for decades, and at some point a landslide clogged more than half of it, restricting the amount of flow it can handle. ITD’s maintenance forces attempted to clean it out this fall using equipment, but much of the debris in the 48-inch diameter pipe is too large and bulky to be moved. A professional contractor will clean out the pipe, likely by hand – someone inside the pipe pulling out boulders, branches and other debris.
"ITD’s goal is to have the pipe cleaned out by spring runoff in hopes of preventing damage to the road due to floodwaters running over or undermining the highway," said ITD Southwest Idaho Maintenance Manager Tom Points.
Click here for Points' sound bite.
Points said ITD is currently finalizing bid and environmental documents for the work. The ITD Engineers' Estimate is $100,000 for this work.