Yellowstone Reopens a Key Gateway After Devastating June Flooding
Yellowstone National Park reopens, but the road now can be dangerous, as floodwaters continue to recede
Yellowstone National Park Reopens for the First Time In Two Years After Devastating June Flooding
The most powerful and devastating flood in Yellowstone’s history, from June 19 to July 30, 2016 saw nearly 13 feet of water inundate the park. This was the year of the “Big Chill” as ice formed on the tiniest of the park’s glaciers and turned the water to liquid.
Yellowstone National Park, located in the northwest corner of Montana and is a world-class natural wonder. The park houses over 1 200 named natural features, including more than 6,500 named geysers and hot springs, as well as some of the greatest waterfalls the world has ever known, including the Lower Falls, Upper Falls, and the Big Canyon.
The iconic Grand Prismatic Spring is also a part of the park, and this year marked the first time in two years that it has opened back up for visitors to enjoy after it was closed during the flooding disaster. As the National Park Service noted at the time, “On June 19, 2016, the Big Spring received more than 13 feet of water. As with most places in the park that experience high water, park goers were limited to the lower portion of the spring, which was not accessible. By June 30, 2016, the park was in full flow and canning season ended.”
The park reopened on July 1 and has now welcomed back visitors for the first time since the flooding disaster for its popular Backcountry Information Center and to enjoy its most famous natural attractions: Yellowstone Lake, The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Old Faithful, and the iconic Grand Prismatic Spring
“The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone was one of our more popular attractions for a number of reasons, but primarily because, in addition to its beautiful canyon walls, the springs make for truly amazing hikes as well as fishing,” said Joe Manes, Yellowstone’s National Park Service Superintendent.
Since the flooding disaster, more than 60 back
