This sounds strange, but that’s what we have at the mouth of Weber Canyon. The Weber River runs on top of a hill for about a mile, about 100 feet above the gravel pits between Weber and Davis counties. Some gravel pits are still being used and are getting bigger.

It’s not normal for a river to flow on top of a hill, it should run in a valley or a low place. Water seeks the low place and is pulled there by gravity down into a low place or valley. The Weber River has wandered down the valley where Uintah, South Weber, Riverdale, part of Ogden and west to the lake for thousands of years. In my lifetime I’ve seen the Weber River wander to the side and make a new channel 1,000 feet farther north of its original course. The embankment or levy between the river and some gravel pits is only about 100 feet wide.

In 1952 and 1983 with snow depths about the same as 2023 the river overflowed its banks flooding Uintah both times. We need to stop this from happening again. Some organization such as Weber Basin, Davis and Weber Canal Co., Weber County, and Davis County need to patrol the river on both sides by all the gravel pits at least twice a day and more often at flood water time. Some equipment and personnel need to be ready to make repairs if the river floods again.

I’m writing this letter in hope that someone or some organization will take responsibility to prevent the flooding at Uintah, South Weber and down stream. If the river floods over into a gravel pit it won’t be able to be stopped.

Rulon Dye

Uintah

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