High water damages Zion lodge road

Rain since Thursday caused the Virgin River, which runs through the park, to swell and carve away the road's underlying base.

"Apparently, the tremendous force of the river damaged a retaining wall separating the river from the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive," said park Superintendent Donald A. Falvey.

A park employee noticed a depression in the road at 11:15 a.m. that caved in shortly after. The sink hole was estimated to be 30 feet long, 15 feet wide and 20 feet deep.

"Fortunately, the damage became apparent before anyone drove across it," Falvey said.

The dead-end drive has been closed at the Highway 9 junction bridge.

Falvey had no estimate on when the road would reopen as engineers are expected to assess the damage on Saturday.

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