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5:45 p.m. January 20, 2013
National Park Service expects final assessment of Newfound Gap Road landslide later this week
By Jeaneane Payne

newfound gap road landslide
Landslide damage to Newfound Gap Road in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is further assessing damage to Newfound Gap Road (Hwy 441 between Gatlinburg TN and Cherokee NC) caused by a large landslide at approximately 9:30 a.m. on January 16, 2013. The incident occurred approximately 9 miles outside of Cherokee.

 
landslide spring
A lateral spring contributed to the landslide.

Acting Deputy Superintendent Allen Sumerski stated "The landslide was due to heavy rainfall causing saturation to the soil along with a lateral spring running through the area."

Debris from the slide ran 900 yards (3 times the length of a football field) and contained 90,000 cubic yards of material.

From the Tennessee side of Newfound Gap Road, the highway is closed to through traffic at Clingmans Dome Road. From the North Carolina side, traffic is closed beyond Smokemont Campground which is located just 5 miles from Cherokee, NC.

Sumerski said "The Park Service was unaware of a possible embankment failure. Fortunately, the road was already closed when the landslide occurred because of flooding from heavy rains. We don't know what might have occurred if people had been traveling when the incident occurred." Daily traffic from Cherokee to Gatlinburg can include as many as 7,000 vehicles.

Geotechnical engineers have already been on site to begin assessing damage. A team of 8 surveyors are also determining damage. Several of those surveyors were on site today.

"It is too early to speculate when the road will be repaired," said Sumerski. "An assessment of a time frame and costs should be ready sometime later this week."

Thus far, this is the largest landslide that has occurred inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. There had been 9 inches of rain last week. Although more trees and debris are coming down the mountain, Sumerski said the snowfall on Thursday has helped to dry out the area so that engineers and surveyors could get in. He also stated that the landslide is having an environmental effect on the immediate area in the Park especially since it is so close to Beech Flats Prong watershed. Beech Flats is a popular fly fishing spot containing brook trout, rainbows, and brown trout. Steps are being taken to prevent erosion in that area.

Contractors from the public sector will be hired to make repairs to the road.

landslide spring   landslide spring
     
media
Media observing damage by landslide
  allen sumerski
Acting Deputy Superintendent Allen Sumerski

Related Articles:
First assessment made of landslide on Newfound Gap Road
Landslide causes indefinite closure of Newfound Gap Road

Published January 20, 2013

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