A Record Wet October in Canyon Country: Plan for Mud and High Water
Arches recorded one of its wettest Octobers on record, the Colorado River ran higher than any November 2 on record at Cisco, and backcountry roads are muddy. Here is what to know before you head out.
This fall has been unusually wet around Moab. The Moab Sun News has been tracking the flooding across the region, and a few numbers stood out to us.
By the numbers
- Arches National Park headquarters recorded 4.6 inches of rain in October, compared with a typical October of about 1.11 inches. Only October 2006 was wetter in records back to 1980
- The Colorado River at Cisco ran higher than any November 2 in 108 years of records
- The Dolores River was running far above its typical early November flow
- As of the November 4 update, no flood warning covered Grand County and UDOT listed no closures there, though the paper noted parts of San Juan County still had flooding and road closures
The weather service also warned that localized flash flooding is possible when stronger showers hit saturated ground.
What it means for your trip
Even after the water drops, the effects stick around. Expect deep mud, ruts and washed out spots on dirt roads, soft sand in washes and slick clay where it is wet. Check current conditions with the BLM, the parks and the county before you go, and be ready to change plans. We always build some flexibility into our trip days for exactly this reason.
