Highway remains closed to recreation as continued flooding further undermines highway
BEAVER, Utah (Aug. 28, 2026) — The Utah Department of Transportation began emergency work this week on State Route 153 in Beaver Canyon, where recent storms have caused additional flooding and debris flows that continue to undermine the highway.
Initial work will focus on creating limited temporary access for property owners and other essential users where conditions allow. Crews will also remove hazards such as trees, rocks and debris and stabilize stream channels, banks and other areas.
“The amount of damage in Beaver Canyon is staggering,” UDOT Region 4 Project Manager Devin Squire said. “Pictures really don’t capture the scale of it. Almost everyone we take into the canyon says the same thing: it’s much worse than they expected, and the damage just keeps getting worse the farther up you go. There are places where the road, embankment and drainage systems have been completely overwhelmed.”
Flooding and debris flows over the weekend added to the extensive damage along the corridor. A large section of SR-153 near milepost 13 is severely undermined. A widening crack has developed in the pavement above the riverbed, highlighting the ongoing instability in the area.
Any limited access will be established only where conditions allow. The west side of SR-153 will not reopen for general travel or recreational use this year.
Crews will also conduct surveying, geotechnical investigations and hydrologic studies to help UDOT develop a permanent solution for SR-153. Information gathered during the emergency response will help determine how to reconstruct the highway to better withstand future flooding and debris flows.
“Before we can rebuild the road, we need to understand how the canyon and waterways have changed and make the area safe enough for our crews to work,” Squire said. “The emergency work will help us provide access where conditions allow and give us the opportunity to gather the information we need to develop a lasting solution.”
There is currently no timeline for completing permanent repairs or reopening SR-153 to the public. UDOT will provide updates as work progresses and more information becomes available. For more information, please visit: https://udotinput.utah.gov/sr153beavercanyon
