Harvey Gap Road closed indefinitely

Multi-agency effort investigating road collapse

PRESS RELEASE
August 25, 2016

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO – A stretch of County Road 237 will remain closed indefinitely near Harvey Gap State Park, while an investigation is underway to determine the cause of a collapse that left the integrity of the roadway compromised. Garfield County and the Silt Water Conservancy District (SWCD), which operates nearby Harvey Gap Reservoir, are working together to address the impacts to the roadway.

For safety purposes, Garfield County Road and Bridge has barricaded the road between Odin Drive and the swimming beach at Harvey Gap, north of Silt. The substructure under the road collapsed Sunday evening, due to yet unknown sources. Following a rainstorm Saturday, a hole approximately twice the width of the road developed, leaving a section of asphalt hanging over one side of the widening gully. At least one-third of the northbound lane has collapsed, and cracking is widening on remaining pavement, which creates a hazard for traffic and pedestrians. Sloughing is increasing the size of a 15- to 20-foot deep void adjacent to the roadway.

The road is not navigable by motor vehicle traffic, and pedestrians are discouraged from entering the area. No timetable is estimated for the reopening of the Harvey Gap Road (CR 237) in the affected area, pending isolation of the cause, testing by geologists and hydrologists, and the formulation of a plan for repairs.

SWCD officials indicate the collapse is not related to its plans to drain the reservoir later this year for inspections. Following the road collapse south of the reservoir, the water district suspended deliveries of water from the reservoir to irrigators and has made plans to delay operations to drain Harvey Gap until next year. Meanwhile, SWCD engineers are working to find solutions for provision of irrigation water to shareholders as quickly as possible.

Due to the District’s decision to delay draining Harvey Gap Reservoir, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will cancel a current emergency fish salvage at the reservoir, initially announced Aug. 18. Effective immediately, the usual bag, possession and size limits will be reinstated and enforced. For additional information, contact CPW Senior Aquatic Biologist Lori Martin at 970-255-6186, or contact Harvey Gap State Park at 970-625-1607. Colorado Parks and Wildlife August 25 press release.

All travelers should use an alternative route along Grass Valley Road (CR 226) west from New Castle or east from Rifle to reach Harvey Gap.