Floodwater Contaminates Water Wells in Lincoln County

Now that the snowpack in Wyoming has begun to melt, the predicted flooding has begun to occur across the state. Different counties are finding different challenges arise with the water.

Lincoln County public health officials have found three private water wells contaminated by high groundwater tables caused by prolonged flooding according to the Associated Press. There have not been any reports of anyone becoming ill from drinking the water and county emergency management spokesman Stephen Malik tells the Associated Press that the town water wells have checked out okay so far.

On Tuesday the Laramie River swelled as high as 5.28 feet, the highest of the year. Albany County EMA Spokesman Chuck Murrieta told the Laramie Boomerang the river is already moving at 1,000 cubic feet per second with a lot of undertows and cross-currents. The National Weather Service is forecasting that the Laramie River will continue to rise in Laramie to at least 5.6 feet. Laramie is in a flood warning until further notice.

Elsewhere in Wyoming on Tuesday, the Associated Press reports continued flooding in Sinclair, where nearly half of the Sinclair golf course in under water. In Carbon County along the North Platte, Encampment and Little Snake Rivers are swelling, but officials say berms and sandbags are holding firm. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has closed campgrounds and parking areas in Saratoga on the North Platte River.

For instant flood updates in Albany County, call the Information Hotline at 721-5300.