Editor’s note: This story was originally published on May 30, 2024.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
There was a time when a river ran through Salt Lake City, along State Street. On May 30, 1983, Utahns braced for the worst, according to Deseret News archives.
“Storms threaten to aggravate flood nightmare,” read the top headline of the May 30 front page, describing a tense weekend when flow from the different creeks above Salt Lake City reached all-time highs.
“Bracing for the worst, crews channel overflow into State Street canal,” topped the story by staff writers John Ward and Lee Davidson.
“Cooling temperatures could reduce Salt Lake area flooding, but threatening thunderstorms would complete ‘the absolute worst case scenario for flooding,’ flood control officials say.
“Weary city and county crews and volunteers continued efforts Monday morning after a rash of flooding Sunday, dreading the afternoon thunderstorms that are forecast for Monday and Tuesday.”
Coverage then and since has focused on the hard work of professionals and masses of Utah residents who stepped up to help sandbag a temporary river channel along State Street.
Here are some wonderful images and stories from the spring into early summer, as well as in the ensuing years, courtesy of Deseret News colleagues:
“Chiefs from ‘83 remember Salt Lake floods and their impacts on conditions now”
“The great floods of 1983 and 1952″
“‘83 floods top Utah’s ‘disaster’ list. Tornado, avalanche, cold also rank high for century”
“Could the infamous ‘State Street River’ return following record-breaking snowfall?”
What emerged in reading the many stories of hard work and sacrifice in 1983, and through reflections of key players, was the attitude of Utahns of all ages, faiths and walks of life who pitched in to help save the city.