The road in Sugar House Park is closed due to the pond overflowing

Officials say park is ‘working as intended for flood control’

Salt Lake City’s Sugar House Park had to be closed to vehicles Saturday night as the water level in the pond continued to rise, overtaking the road.

Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation and Salt Lake City Public Utilities announced the closure around 7:30 p.m. Earlier in the day, they shared photos showing the pond’s water level breaching the pond’s edge.

Parleys Creek empties directly into the park’s pond.

“Sugar House Park is working as intended for flood control. … The water levels are rising: This is on purpose because the park serves as a retention basin to protect people and property,” the park administration wrote in a tweet.

City and county officials also said they intentionally diverted water to Sugar House Park and other holding ponds, which they say helps “mitigate and lessen the impact of the spring runoff.”

Officials also warned the public to avoid the water in the park and other areas that experience high water levels due to spring runoff.

Meanwhile, volunteers and workers continue to fill sandbags to protect public and private property. Many flocked to Sugar House Park on Saturday morning and afternoon to volunteer.

In addition, the Utah Department of Corrections in Gunnison organized a volunteer effort by inmates at Central Utah Correctional Facility to help fill sandbags.

Then the Salt Lake City Fire Department’s heavy rescue team cleared a major blockage at Wasatch Hollow Park. They said a large, flat piece of metal was preventing the water from flowing.

This article is published by the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of Utah news organizations aiming to educate readers across the state.