Evacuation lifted in Bluff, Montezuma Creek wastewater ponds breached, schools along San Juan remain closed
Residents in Bluff, Montezuma Creek and Aneth were evacuated on Saturday as the San Juan River flooded following intense rainstorms in late October.
Evacuation orders were lifted at 5:00 am on Monday October 26, but standing water remains along the river with contamination possible along the river.
In addition to wastewater breaching in the Farmington and Shiprock area, Navajo Tribal Utility Authority shared on Monday morning that the flooding breached wastewater lagoon treatment facility in Montezuma Creek. With contamination possible downstream of Montezuma Creek.
As a precaution, NTUA advises the public to avoid contact with the San Juan River and floodwaters downstream of the Montezuma Creek wastewater lagoon facility until further notice. Noting that wastewater may contain bacteria, pathogens, and other contaminants that could pose a risk to human and animal health.
Until additional information is available, the public is advised to:
• Keep people, especially children, out of the San Juan River and affected floodwaters.
• Keep livestock and pets from entering or drinking from the river or affected floodwaters.
• Avoid swimming, wading, fishing, or other recreational contact with potentially affected waters.
• Do not use potentially affected surface water for drinking, cooking, washing, or other domestic purposes.
NTUA also reports they’re conducting water quality samples in communities downstream which will continue as necessary.
For now NTUA is asking residents and businesses served by the Montezuma Creek wastewater system to conserve water to minimize the amount of wastewater entering the system until further notice.
Utah Navajo Health System’s Montezuma Creek Clinic has been closed for October 26 as a result of the flooding.
In addition students at Montezuma Creek and Bluff Elementary as well as Whitehorse High will have no school Monday October 26 and Tuesday October 27. Also students who attend ARL Middle and San Juan High who ride Natalie's Bus #104 or Marty's Bus #255 will also have no school on those days.
Students at Monument Valley High and Tse'Bii'Nidzisgai Elementary School are doing virtual learning on Monday October 26 with those schools expected to resume in-person learning on Tuesday, October 27 as conditions allow.
All other district schools are scheduled to operate in person.
The Navajo Nation Department of Emergency Management issued a notice of evacuation for Bluff, Montezuma Creek, and Aneth on Saturday night.
Bridges were closed including the highway 160 bridge and the Montezuma Creek bridge, with flooding on highway 262 between Montezuma Creek and Aneth as well, those bridges have since been reopened with some roadways opening as well though SR 162 starting in Bluff remains closed. Officials remind residents of the dangers of driving through flooded roadways.
The river was forecasted to crest in Montezuma Creek around 5:00 am Sunday, cresting between Bluff and Mexican Hat Sunday afternoon, and peaking at Mexican Hat around 5:00 pm Sunday evening around 36 feet which would exceed all time record levels.
Two emergency shelters have been set up for residents:
Aneth Community School, 162 San Juan County Rd. #466, Montezuma Creek, UT 84534.
San Juan High School, 311 North Bronco Blvd, Blanding, UT 84511
An Incident Command Post has been located at the Montezuma Creek EMS Station.
The Bluff Community Foundation is accepting donations to benefit local families.
https://www.bluffcommunityfoundation.org/relief
In addition to monetary aid, donated items can also be given directly to the Aneth Chapter House.
Among the items needed include
• Bottled drinking water
• Non-perishable food
• Household cleaning supplies (bleach, mops, buckets, trash bags)
• Essentials: tarps, batteries, work gloves, rubber boots, N95 masks
• Livestock water containers and rain-catchment containers, hay and feed
- gift cards for diesel fuel for heavy equipment
DROP-OFF: Aneth Chapter House, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM