OGDEN -- The ongoing battle between the surging rivers and Weber County residents is coming to a head.
After days of heavy rain, the already high rivers reached flood stage Tuesday and will stay that way through at least Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
The situation prompted Weber County authorities to send a state of emergency declaration to the governor's desk Tuesday afternoon.
"There's no more wiggle room in the reservoirs," said Lance Peterson, director of emergency services. "We're at the point (that) you can't win the fight sometimes. But we're going to do the best we can and minimize the damage."
The Department of Natural Resources agreed Tuesday evening to breach a levee at the Ogden Bay Refuge. This will allow water to flow into Great Salt Lake and alleviate some of the problem, said Weber County Commissioner Kerry Gibson.
The department is just waiting for the opinion of its engineers on the best place to make the breach, so the county "can get the most bang for our buck," Gibson said.
The engineers will meet at the levees this morning, and the department will go ahead with the breach in the next day or two.
The help comes just as the county has reached an imminent flooding situation, authorities said.
"Sometime later this week, we expect (Weber River) to raise another half a foot. It's going to be high and stay high," Peterson said.
A flood watch is in effect through Saturday morning for most of Weber County.
"We anticipate it will probably be as bad, if not worse, than what we had in April," said Weber County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Lowther.
Last month, a business complex near 1100 West and 1800 South in West Haven was standing in several feet of water after the Weber River ran over its banks.
West Haven City Councilwoman Stephanie Carlson said the city has done what it can to reinforce the river. Now it's up to Mother Nature to determine what's in store for the area, she said.
Riverdale Fire Chief Doug Illum said he and his crews spent Tuesday sandbagging against the rising Weber River. No one reported flooding in their homes, but Illum is bracing to see if that stays true through the week.
"I'm hoping we get through it."
The Ogden River was particularly high Tuesday night around Huntsville, where it was a half-foot above flood stage. The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the area that lasts through this morning.
Weber County does not have the monopoly on rising rivers.
Skyline Drive in Bountiful is washed out, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. The road will remain closed until it can be repaired and stabilized by emergency crews. The public is warned to stay away from Farmington Creek, which is running very high but below flood stage.
Lost Creek in Morgan County was also at flood stage Tuesday evening, though dispatchers said they had not received any calls about property flooding.
Blacksmith Fork River in Box Elder County is 2 inches below flood stage. Elsewhere in the county, high water has kept the bird refuge road closed since last week. Some fields and pastures by the Bear River are also flooded.
In Centerville, according to the city's website, the normally dry Lone Pine Creek is surging with water.
Standard-Examiner reporter Jessica Miller contributed to this article.
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