Progress Made after Flooding at Glacier National Park

Date: November 15, 2006
Contact: Melissa Wilson, 406 888-7985

WEST GLACIER, MONT. – Glacier National Park Superintendent Mick Holm reports that clean-up and repair efforts are underway following last week’s flooding. "Though the flooding caused extensive localized damage to roads and facilities, we have made an amazing amount of progress in the short time since the flood. We were able to quickly mobilize repair efforts. Contract and park crews are currently clearing debris, repairing erosion, and restoring culverts. Thanks to the efforts of employees who worked throughout the holiday weekend, emergency bank stabilization is already 30 percent complete at lower elevations on the west side. Further, we will be able to reopen the Sun Road to Avalanche tomorrow, Thursday, November 16, at 8 a.m.," he stated. "We appreciate the support we’ve received from the Federal Highway Administration, Sandry Construction, and seasonal park workers who have returned to assist with our efforts."

Holm added, "Our labors will be weather driven- we will move forward with our intensive repair efforts until winter weather prevents our continuation. We will then commence with the same vigor as soon as conditions permit in the spring. Our goal is to have the emergency repairs completed with minimal impact to park visitors. However, we realize that weather conditions play a key role in any work we do in the park no matter what time of year. If we do not achieve our goal, it will not be from lack of effort on our part."

"It is also important to remember that Glacier preserves over one million acres and the vast majority of the park was not significantly impacted by this flood. We continue to move forward on a number of additional fronts to enhance the visitor experience. For example, to coincide with the general rehabilitation of the Sun Road, we will introduce a voluntary shuttle system for travel along the Sun Road next summer. We are also expanding our website and adding wayside exhibits to expose visitors to the variety of possible experiences available in Glacier," Holm concluded.