Thaw causes washouts throughout county

SANDPOINT — The January thaw has created a number of problems on roads throughout Bonner County, including a mudslide on Bottle Bay Road in Sagle on Sunday.

Bob Howard, director of Bonner County Emergency Management, said the slide above Bottle Bay Road ended up being about 30 feet wide and 6 inches deep. A private road and woodcutting above the county road appeared to have played a role in the slide, Howard said.

Ice dams on Grouse Creek and Colburn Culver roads caused creeks find alternate paths around the blockages by cutting across the roadways. Washouts were also reported on Blacktail, Jewel Lake, East Spring Creek and Trestle Creek roads.

“There are countless places where water is over the road,” Howard told county commissioners on Tuesday.

Howard said a washout on Cocolalla Loop Road nearly flooded a home.

No roads are currently closed because of the troubles.

Weight limits are being imposed on all roads in Bonner County Road District 1, which involves all roads south of the U.S. Highway 95 Long Bridge. The weight limits go into effect today and will remain in place until further notice, according to Bonner County Public Works.