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SR 504 to the observatory in 2024 was called into doubt by the USFS. Further investigation of the site by WSDOT engineers revealed difficulties in making additional repairs to the bypass. A temporary fix was considered to be uneconomical and it would further delay a permanent rebuild. Delays in temporarily or permanently reopening the bridge and highway for regular use is also due to a combination of the limited construction schedule based on weather, high elevation, and the steep slope of the area.
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The USFS announced that the highway and access to the observatory was to remain closed until late 2026. After the loss of the bypass, the closure of SR 504 was listed between milepost 45.2 and 51, and the observatory is without power. With construction not slated until April 2026, WSDOT revised
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The interim roadway was washed out in
November 2023 after the replacement culverts failed due to heavy rainfall and erosion which was unrelated to the prior South Coldwater Slide event. There were no changes to the admittance of previously reopened recreation areas but the timeline to fully reopen
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at milepost 49. Twelve people were airlifted from the area beyond the mudslide; the observatory's seasonal reopening was postponed and the highway east of
Coldwater Lake was closed to all traffic. Three days later, the closure was temporarily expanded further west to milepost 43 due to potential
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The slide, measured at 300,000 cubic yards (230,000 m), was determined not to be associated with seismic or volcanic activity, but caused by the cumulative effects of melting snow and the oversaturation of the volcanic soil in the area.
136:. The center was outfitted with exhibits and other facilities as a temporary alternative to the Johnston Ridge Observatory, providing the continuation of services for visitors to the area while cleanup and repairs were underway.
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to access
Johnston Ridge for vehicle retrieval and to prepare for reopening in 2024. Power was restored to the observatory and monitoring equipment of the volcano was declared as back to "full functionality".
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A team composed of USFS staff and volunteers hiked to the observatory to retrieve scientific equipment and supplies so that observation of the volcano could proceed at the
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Washington State
Department of Transportation - SR 504 South Coldwater Slide – Spirit Lake Outlet Bridge Washout Project Page
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193:"Forest Service Hopes to Provide 'Alternative' Recreation at Mount St. Helens as Surveys of South Coldwater Slide Continue"
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and local trails was restored in June after the closure was moved back to milepost 49 at the site of the slide.
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120:(USFS), destroyed the 85-foot (26 m) Spirit Lake Outlet Bridge and severed SR 504 northeast of
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527:"Mount St. Helens' Johnston Ridge Observatory closed until 2026 after landslide on Spirit Lake Highway"
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On May 14, 2023, a mudslide and debris flow, given the moniker "South
Coldwater Slide" by the
582:"Johnston Ridge Observatory at Mount St. Helens will likely stay closed until at least 2026"
609:"Johnston Ridge Observatory and Spirit Lake Highway are slated to reopen in spring of 2027"
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Washington State
Department of Transportation - SR 504 Spirit Lake Outlet Bridge gallery
302:"Coldwater Lake Recreation Area at Mount St. Helens reopens following SR 504 landslide"
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276:"Cause, Timeline Undetermined After 'Catastrophic' Slide on Road to Mount St. Helens"
388:"Mount St. Helens mudslide cleared enough for drivers to retrieve stranded vehicles"
140:(WSDOT) contractors cleared debris over the highway by July and created a temporary
417:"Motorists retrieve vehicles stranded by landslide on highway to Mount St. Helens"
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hazards revealed by geotechnical engineers during their investigation; access to
555:"Volcano Awareness Month: Numerous activities available in person, social media"
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635:"43 Years After Eruption, Mount St. Helens Continues to 'Reveal New Mysteries'"
501:"Temporary 'fix' after landslide on Spirit Lake Highway has failed, WSDOT says"
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475:"House of Representatives approves extension to landslide protection system"
100:. The volume of debris, and subsequent destruction of a bridge, closed off
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446:"Drivers finally able to retrieve vehicles stranded at Mount St. Helens"
221:"Debris slide blocks SR 504 near Coldwater Lake; a dozen people rescued"
250:"Upper SR 504/Spirit Lake Memorial Highway closed until further notice"
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the planned reopening of both the road and observatory to April 2027.
330:"Landslide prompts trek for Mount St. Helens observatory supplies"
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U.S. Forest
Service - South Coldwater Slide Information
362:"Another landslide blocks access to Mount St. Helens"
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U.S. Forest
Service - South Coldwater Slide gallery
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62:Soil saturation due to heavy rainfall and snowmelt
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254:Washington State Department of Transportation
138:Washington State Department of Transportation
96:is a mudslide that occurred in May 2023 near
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28:Destruction of the Spirit Lake Outlet Bridge
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106:Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
53:Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
499:Vander Stoep, Isabel (November 16, 2023).
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633:Vander Stoep, Isabel (May 19, 2023).
444:The Oregonian staff (July 15, 2023).
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134:Coldwater Science and Learning Center
607:Spykerman, Monica (August 7, 2024).
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328:Ellenbecker, Lauren (May 25, 2023).
274:The Chronicle staff (May 16, 2023).
191:The Chronicle staff (May 23, 2023).
473:The Chronicle staff (May 3, 2024).
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248:Greenwell, Tamara (May 16, 2023).
219:Kauffman, Brennen (May 15, 2023).
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229:. Longview, Washington
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698:Landslides in 2023
588:. February 7, 2024
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204:February 6,
142:gravel road
687:Categories
618:August 13,
178:References
41:2023-05-14
49:Location
566:May 20,
112:History
83:Missing
39: (
484:May 7,
67:Deaths
169:Cause
59:Cause
646:2024
620:2024
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