Caden Arnold Meteorology 1010 12/4/13 Research essay Floods of 1983 The Floods of 1983 have always been

interesting to me. My grandpa and my dad both have told me stories about the flood countless times. Each time they tell the stories is just as interesting as the last time they told them. Both my dad and my grandpa got to experience the floods first hand as they flowed down State Street. City Creek was one of the main sources of water for Salt Lake City during the early years of the city. The creek begins about eight miles up City Creek Canyon, and runs around fourteen and a half miles. The Creek now doesnt look the way it did when the first settlers came to Salt Lake City. The Creek has remained under ground since it was placed there in the early 1900s. Only a couple portions of the Creek rest above ground. During the winter of 1982 and 1983, Utah saw record amounts of participation. This being said, City Creek Canyon saw large amounts of snow pack. Early warming in May began to melt the snow pack that had been accumulating in City Creek Canyon all winter, causing the Creek to swell. The Creek continued to rise, then on May 28th, 1983, the Creek rose enough to come above ground and eventually flooded State Street. The next morning, workers rushed to sand bag State Street in order to protect the buildings from the rushing creek now turned river. The river flowed all the way down to 1300

south making it almost impossible for the street to be used. Temporary bridges were built in order for pedestrians to get across the flooded street. Residents of Downtown Salt Lake warmed up to the flowing river. Wanting to keep it and incorporate it in the city. Other areas throughout the Salt Lake Valley and other parts Utah were also affected. Many streets in Salt Lake City were flooded and closed. Along with City Creek, several other creeks and streams in the area rose. Many basements of homes and businesses were submerged from the flow of water in the streets due to the rise of these bodies of water. Reservoirs in the various canyons above the Salt Lake Valley were to the point of overflowing their damns. The Great Salt and Utah Lakes had risen several feet. The flooding would resume through the rest of May into the early part of June. On June 11th, the problematic flood waters receded back to their original states. Although the flood had ended on the 11th, clean up took several more weeks. Crews worked to remove millions of sand bags used to help control the water. They had to clear out the clogged storm drains and sewers that were factor in the flooding problems. Also crew had to pick up and spray off streets that were plastered in debris that was carried by the rivers of water. Now thirty years later, the floods have been long gone. The streets are perfectly normal. There arent any more rivers running down them and no fisherman standing on the sidewalk waiting for the catch of the day. I have found these stories and the pictures interesting as my family has told them over the years. But I have always thought it would have been kind of scary knowing that there is a stream running down the street in front of my house and that every street in the city is now a water way.