A popular shortcut between the Salt Lake Valley and Tooele County is shut down after heavy rain destroyed a section of Butterfield Canyon road on July 23. Salt Lake County has not set a reopening date.

Steven Kuhlmeier, director of public works operations at Salt Lake County, said the washout hit about 5.5 miles into the canyon from the Herriman entrance, leaving only an 8-foot-wide strip of pavement. Much of that strip is undercut, with asphalt hanging over empty space. At least one driver crossed the damaged section before barricades went up, telling ABC4 he felt "blessed" to have made it.

"There is a lot of debris, dirt and sand that washed out," Kuhlmeier said. "I would definitely encourage you to avoid the area because it definitely appears to be undercut."

The road is an unincorporated Salt Lake County road, and Kuhlmeier said it is closed for the foreseeable future.

What caused it

A monsoonal storm developed over the Oquirrh Mountains on July 23, dumping 0.7 inches of rain at a Kennecott Copper Mine weather station nearby, according to KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson. The downpour triggered flash flooding that carved out the roadbed.

What's still open

Barricades now block the pass on the Salt Lake County side, and road damage signs are posted near White Pine campground. But the Tooele County side of the canyon remains in good condition, according to Tooele County Parks and Recreation. White Pine campground is still open, and Middle Canyon remains open to recreation, the Tooele County Sheriff's Office confirmed.

Visitors can still reach those areas from the Tooele County side. They cannot drive through the pass to Salt Lake County.

Why southwest valley residents should care

Butterfield Canyon connects Herriman, in the southwest Salt Lake Valley, through the Oquirrh Mountains to Tooele. The roughly 13-mile route is a common summer drive for recreation and a through-route for commuters heading to Tooele County. It is typically open June through October.

The closure means drivers must find an alternate route between the two counties. Tooele County Parks and Recreation asked travelers to plan accordingly but did not name a specific detour.

What's next

Salt Lake County has not announced a repair timeline or cost estimate. KSL reported that the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office did not respond to its request for comment on the closure.

No public meeting or comment deadline related to the repair has been announced. Residents can contact Salt Lake County Public Works for updates.