Questions and Answers

About the East Fork Slide

On the Pagosa Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest

May 19, 2008

Q.  Where is the landslide located?

A.  The landslide is occurring on the Pagosa Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest approximately 12 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs in Archuleta County. It is two miles east of US Highway 160 on the East Fork Road (NF System Road 667).

Q.  When/how was the situation discovered?

A.  The first indication of recent movement of the slide occurred on Friday evening, May 2^nd, when a break was detected in a buried Xcel Energy pipeline along the East Fork Road via the remote gas-load control center in Golden Colorado. The pipeline had sheared as a result of the landslide becoming active.

Q.  What does the pipeline contain?

A.  The pipeline is owned by Xcel Energy, and is authorized on National Forest System lands by a special-use permit.  A section of the 8-inch-diameter, natural-gas pipeline buried parallel to the East Fork Road sheared on May 2^nd. It was repaired by Xcel crews on May 3^rd.  When a section in the same vicinity sheared again on May 4^th, Xcel replaced the section of buried 8-inch pipe with a temporary 4-inch-diameter, above-ground pipe across the slide area. 

Q.  Who does the pipeline serve?

A.  According to a representative from Xcel, the pipeline serves areas from the San Luis Valley to Vail, Colorado.

Q.  What is the size of the landslide?

A.  The active portion of the slide is approximately 600 feet wide, 2000 feet long, and affects approximately 40 acres of the National Forest.

Q.  How fast is the landslide moving?

A.  Preliminary estimates are that the landslide is moving four feet per day. 

Q. How close is the landslide to the East Fork of the San Juan River? 

A.  The toe (bottom) of the slide is now at the edge of the river.

Q.  Could the river be blocked? If so, what are the impacts of that event?

A.  It is unlikely, but possible.  The river is currently eroding the slide as the material reaches the river. The current rate of slide movement is not fast enough to dam the river. In order for the slide to dam the river, conditions would have to change within the slide area to cause the speed of movement to increase dramatically. While this is possible, it is not typical for this type of slide.  Even if the river was dammed, the canyon is very narrow, so the volume of water that might gather behind the dam would probably not be great.

Q.  Who is monitoring the situation?

A.  Representatives with the U. S. Forest Service, Xcel, Colorado Geological Survey, Archuleta County Office of Emergency Management, Colorado Division of Emergency Management, and Colorado Division of Water Management are monitoring the slide.

Q.  Who is currently affected by the landslide?

A.  Currently, the only affected people/groups* are:

· Some Xcel customers who may experience service issues, 

· Members of the recreating public who utilize the East Fork corridor,

· Grazing permittees in the East Fork corridor,

· Private property owners in areas upriver from the slide area.

(*If slide conditions change, affected parties may change.) 

Q.  Is this a new landslide?

A.  No, this is a large, old landslide.  Aerial photos reveal that the area in question slid many years ago. The Xcel pipeline has been in place for 45 years and was first ruptured by earth movement in this same area in February, 2006.

Q.  Is this a unique situation?

A.  Although the landslide is a naturally occurring event, it is unique in that its movement is faster and has been persisting for a longer time period than other slides recently discovered on public lands in the Pagosa Springs area. The Pagosa Public Lands Office is currently aware of landslides on Jackson Mountain, West Fork, Mill Creek, Willow Draw, First Fork, and West Monument Roads.  Slides have also occurred on Forest Service trails this spring.

Q.  When was the landslide first detected and what has been done up until now?

A.  The Forest Service’s original assessment on May 5 focused on working with Xcel Energy to restore utility services to customers throughout the state of Colorado.  As the slide continued to move, the USFS notified Archuleta County Search and Rescue, who had downstream concerns.  A joint press release was issued by the Forest Service, Pagosa Ranger District, and the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office on May 14, 2008.  Additional joint press releases will be issued as needed in the future.  The Forest Service and Archuleta County will continue to work together on this issue.

Q.  Is the area closed to the public?

A.  Yes.  A closure order has been put in place to protect public health, safety and welfare.  The Special Order prohibits, “Entering or being on National Forest System Lands within an area 300 feet either side of the centerline of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 667, also known as the East Fork Road, beginning immediately east of the East Fork Campground at the closure gate and continuing to the westernmost boundary of the private property bisected by NFSR 667.”

Q.  When will the road be opened?

A.  It is currently unknown when the road will be open and when the Special Order closing the area will be rescinded.  When and if the slide stops actively moving, the Forest Service will then assess the conditions and the potential for repairing and or re-routing the road.

Q.  How is the East Fork Campground affected?

A.  The East Fork Campground is not affected.  Xcel, in partnership with the Forest Service has installed a new gate which will close the road beyond the campground entrance.  However, the campground has not yet opened for the season. It is operated by a concessionaire authorized by a Special Use Permit.  Please contact the Pagosa Public Lands office for updated information on campgrounds.

Q.  What National Forest trails are affected?

A.  An area closure is in effect.  The closure is 300 feet either side of the road centerline, beginning at the road closure gate on East Fork Road and ending at the western most boundary of the private property.  The approximate length is five miles.  Therefore, access to Quartz Ridge (570), Quartz Creek (571), Silver Creek (567) and Treasure Mountain (565) Trails is limited. Where these trails enter into the area closure access is prohibited.  A portion of the Coal Creek Trail traverses the slide area and is within the area closure, therefore entry is prohibited.  The trails that enter into the area closure may not be signed, it is imperative that users know where they are and that they do not violate the area closure. 

Q.  Where can I view photos of the landslide?

A.  At this point in time our focus is on the immediate situation.  We will post photos soon on the San Juan National Forest Web site.  In the meantime, photos can be viewed at the Pagosa Public Lands Office. 

Q.  Is the situation dangerous?

A.  An area closure is in effect for public health, safety, and welfare.  Construction crews continue to work in the area and, as a result, there are safety concerns similar to all construction zones.  As the ground continues to move, cracks in the surface throughout the area have developed.  Public land users have responsibility to be aware of the potential risks and take safety precautions at all times when visit public lands.  Changing terrain, forest, and weather conditions present a wide variety of hazards. 

Q. When the snow melts, can I enter the East Fork valley over Elwood Pass?

A.  Yes.  At this time, there are no plans to restrict vehicular access over Elwood Pass from the Rio Grande National Forest when the snow melts.  The area closure begins/ends at the western most end of the private property (On a Forest Visitor Map, private land is depicted in a white color).  The eastern end of the closure area is approximately five miles from East Fork Campground.  Please be reminded that it is your responsibility to know where you are.

Q.  Who can I call for more information?

A.  For information on how the landslide is affecting the San Juan National Forest, contact the Pagosa Public Lands Office at 970 264-2268.  For Archuleta County information, contact Karen Kohake at 970 264-8564.

 East Fork Slide

The East Fork Drainage of the San Juan River in Archuleta County is experiencing a significant natural occurrence, which is not uncommon in this area. This active slide is the result of excessive moisture, snow loading and melt, and natural geological changes.

 This is an informational statement from Becca Smith, District Hydrologist, Pagosa Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest: “This slide has been periodically active over the years. The movement this spring has been greater than it has been for the past several years. Currently the slide is moving downhill to the river. The river is eroding the slide material as it reaches the river. The current rate of movement is not fast enough to dam the river. In order for the slide to dam the river, something would have to change within the slide to cause the speed of movement to increase dramatically. While this is possible, it is not typical for this type of slide.”

·        This occurrence is within the San Juan National Forest and is affecting the East Fork Road (NFSR 667) in Archuleta County. A number of entities are monitoring conditions.

·        Public Safety is of utmost concern due to falling trees, unstable and cracked ground, and an exposed gas line.

·        The East Fork Road is currently closed for the season. The USDA Forest Service is issuing a special order for closing the following area to all entry:

o       300 feet either side of the centerline of NFSR 667, beginning immediately east of the East Fork Campground at the closure gate and continuing approximately 4.7 miles to the westernmost boundary of the private property bisected by NFSR 667.

·        Xcel Energy Corporation has a crew on site repairing, constructing and maintaining the gas pipeline that runs through the area.

·        The Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Operations Center is preparing for all situations that may arise from this natural occurrence.