• Afton’s water source still operational

The trail leading to the Intermittent Spring in Swift Creek Canyon remains closed from the picnic table area up to the mouth of the spring. The Bridger-Teton National Forest implemented an emergency closure of the trail following a rockslide that occurred in late May, partially covering the spring’s opening.

This week, Afton Mayor Jeff Jensen said the water flow out of the spring remains high, making it unsafe to begin considering any efforts to clear the slide and reopen the trail. Jensen said the force of the water has moved roughly five feet of debris from the rock slide area, but the trail will remain closed until further notice.

The mouth of the spring, which used to span roughly ten feet, was partially blocked by the slide. According to Mayor Jensen the mouth is now currently only a couple feet wide. However, water is flowing well out of the spring. Jensen reiterated that the Town of Afton’s water infrastructure, which is piped from inside the mouth of the spring, remains intact and in good operational condition.

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According to Jensen, the Town of Afton has been in contact with both the Army Corp of Engineers and also the Environmental Protection Agency since the slide occurred to keep them apprised of the situation, however at this time the EPA is not pursuing any action as to the safety or quality of the water as a source to the town. The spring was recently a point of contention between the Town of Afton and the EPA after the agency deemed it under the direct influence of surface water, a decision they later rescinded after pushback from the town and additional testing.

While the trail leading from the picnic tables at the base of the spring is closed, the trail in Swift Creek Canyon from the parking area up to the tables remains open.