Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is my house in danger of being flooded?
A. Unless your house is directly adjacent to the river, meaning your back yard backs up against the river, there is very little risk of your house being flooded, even in a hundred-year flood. Houses located along the river are being contacted by the city and briefed on what specific steps are being taken.

Q. Where can I get sandbags for my house?
A. Four sandbagging stations have been selected in neighborhoods where flooding is most likely to take place. If the potential for flooding increases, the city will deliver sand and empty sandbags to these locations and notify volunteer organizations to begin filling and distributing the sandbags to those houses that are in danger of flooding. The four sites are:

1. Vacant lot at 433 W Riverside Lane
2. The cul-de-sac at 920 S River Ridge Lane
3. The end of the street at 1100 W River Ridge Lane
4. 1400 W and 450 S

For residents that live outside of the high-risk areas identified by the city, sandbags can be picked up at Sunroc materials center (while supplies last) or wherever sandbags are sold. To learn the proper technique for sandbagging, as recommended by the Army Corps of Engineers, click here.

Q. What areas of the city are most likely to flood?
A. There are a small number of properties located near the river that have the greatest potential for flooding. There are a few streets with houses whose backyards back up to the river that the city has identified as having a high potential of flooding, and there are also a few areas in and around the golf course that could potentially flood. There are a few other areas scattered along the river the city is keeping a close eye on and city crews will work with those surrounding neighborhoods if water levels increase.

Q. How high is the river flowing and when will it flood?
A. To view the river flow go to the USGS Website. Typical spring river flow will reach 1,200 to 1,500 CFS. For reference: high water flow in 1983 reached 2,770 CFS and the high water flow in 1984 reached 3,700 CFS.

Q. What steps has the city taken to mitigate flooding and flood damage?
A. The City has taken and continues to take a number of steps to prepare for and mitigate potential flood damage:

1. Flood Information Center (FIC). The city has created this new section on the website dedicated solely to distributing flood information. The FIC.s focus is to answer common questions about flooding, inform citizens of current flood conditions and provide links to additional websites that contain additional information.
2. Clearing the River. City crews are removing dead trees, large branches and other debris from the river beds and the surrounding areas.
3. Armoring Riverbeds. The City has armored several banks along the river with heavy rock and material to help prevent eroding as river levels rise.
4. Sandbag Preparations. The City has identified three sites within high-risk neighborhoods where sand and sandbags will be delivered if the potential for flooding increases. Volunteer organizations have already been notified and placed on alert, ready to fill and distribute bags as soon as they are needed.

Q. What can I do to help?
A. Great question! Below is a list of several things you can do right now to help prepare yourself and others for potential flooding this year. This is not a comprehensive list, but will help you get started and spur additional preparation ideas.

1. Become a Spanish Fork City Facebook friend and follow Spanish Fork City on Twitter to get instant notifications about river heights, sandbagging locations and times, road closures, etc.
2. Email Don Thomas, Spanish Fork City's Director of Emergency Preparedness and express your organization's willingness to be notified when volunteers are needed. Include an email address and a phone number, and Don will add you to his volunteer contact list.
3. Create and discuss a disaster plan with your family
4. Talk with your neighbors, especially those that may need additional help in the event of an emergency
5. Prepare a disaster supply kit. For details on what to include, visit http://bereadyutah.gov or http://www.utahredcross.org.
6. Stay informed on local conditions by checking the city website, newspaper, news and National Weather Radio broadcasts.