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UPDATE - Blacks Creek and Middle Fork roads closed by slides
The storms that swept through the mountains earlier this week have increasingly isolated remote parts of northwestern Elmore County.
In part due to the lack of vegetation in areas damaged by the fires last year, and in part simply because the storms dumped a lot of water on areas historically susceptible to flooding and mudslides, both Prairie and Atlanta had some -- but not all -- of the routes to them blocked this week.
On Wednesday, the Middle Fork Boise River Road was closed from the junction of Slide Gulch and the Middle Fork Boise River Road extending upstream for approximately 15 miles to the Neinmeyer Recreation site.
About 600 feet of the roadway was totally washed away and another 500 feet went under water in the lake upstream that was caused by a large slide. The lake extends upstream of the Big Five Creek drainage. Also, downstream of the Big Five Creek area were two log jams which were slowing and changing the river flow and corridor.
There are no estimates Thursday of when repairs will be completed. With sections of the road eliminated it is anticipated it will take several days, or weeks to repair.
The Idaho City Ranger District also reported Thursday morning that, due to intense rain Wednesday night, many of their roads have rocks, and small slides on the road surfaces. Travelers are advised to use caution and drive slowly.
The Middle Fork Boise River road from the junction of Swanholm road downriver to the Neinmeyer Recreation Site also was closed Thursday morning due to a large slide.
The Middle Fork Boise River road from that same junction going east towards Atlanta also has numerous smaller slides which were being cleaned up Thursday by the Atlanta Highway District.
Atlanta is still accessible from Idaho City and over James Creek Summit.
The Pony and Elk Complex fires last year destroyed so much ground cover that this is little to hold back any rain that falls. Any storms in those areas are likely to cause flooding and mud or rock slides, so anyone driving in that area is urged to be vigilant and anyone camping in the area is urged to camp on high ground, not at the bottom of ravines or near streambeds.