The San Juan River near Bluff is forecast to crest Wednesday evening at approximately 24.5 feet, roughly 1.5 feet above the minor flood stage of 23 feet, according to a National Weather Service forecast issued Tuesday morning. The river is expected to reach this peak around 7 p.m. Wednesday, with flow rates reaching approximately 36,300 cubic feet per second.
Town officials stated Tuesday that while the river had dropped 12 inches overnight, it was expected to rise through the night. Residents in homes and businesses flooded on Oct. 25 were instructed to remain evacuated Tuesday night, and those in nearby low-lying areas were told to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. While Bluff is not expected to experience power outages beyond brief disruptions, officials noted that cell service could fail and are monitoring a damaged power line that supplies electricity to the Navajo Nation.
Infrastructure damage has significantly impacted regional connectivity. Flooding on Monday destroyed a Highway 163 bridge located between Bluff and Monument Valley and damaged a Highway 262 bridge, cutting off Montezuma Creek. UDOT is currently working on an emergency contract to replace the Highway 163 bridge and recommends that travelers use a detour through Kayenta, Arizona, which adds approximately an hour and a half to travel times.
Bluff Mayor Josh Ewing noted that the bridge losses affect tourism, voting, and healthcare access across the region, as Monument Valley residents rely on Blanding for medical services. Ewing stated that rebuilding the bridges could take several months, while repairs to 50-year-old dikes that failed could take years.
San Juan County voters affected by the flooding were able to request a ballot via email until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
