*Note: An update to this story has been provided and can be found by clicking here.*
A large rock slide has occurred on top of the historic Intermittent Spring in Swift Creek Canyon east of Afton.
The slide occurred “earlier in the week” according to Stephen Malik with Lincoln County Emergency Management.
“PLEASE don’t pepper the town with questions until they have time to work through the info,” said Malik. “They are actively engaged in this with all the resources they have available.”
The Town of Afton’s water supply, which is supplied from the spring, remains secure according to Malik.
The Forest Service has closed the trail above the picnic tables that leads up the mountain side to the spring.
A large mud slide occurred further down stream last spring, blocking Swift Creek a few hundred yards below the spring. The slide caused a temporary closure of the road and hiking trail leading up to the Intermittent Spring.
The periodic spring, which is the largest of it’s kind in the world, has also been a recent source of contention between the Town of Afton and the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA recently withdrew a previous notice that claimed the spring was under direct influence of surface water.
This remains a developing story and more information will be posted as it becomes available.