Silver City, NM; July 5, 2013—Forest Road 150 has been opened as of late this morning along its entire length from its junction with NM State Highway 35 in the Mimbres Valley to Beaverhead on NM 59. High-clearance vehicles along this route are strongly recommended, and travelers are reminded to be extremely cautious when approaching any drainage areas such as creek bottoms, arroyos, etc. due to flash flood potential even when thunderstorms appear to be miles away. Recent rains may also have loosened rocks and boulders along the roadside which requires taking extra time for safe travel.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has closed N.M. 159 from mile marker 10 (just east of the town of Mogollon) to the eastern gate near Willow Creek as of yesterday (July 4, 2013) due to flooding and large debris crossing the state highway. NMDOT is clearing the roadway and expects to re-open once it is declared safe for the traveling public.

The entire “Catwalk” National Recreation Area is temporarily closed due to flooding conditions at the low water crossing into the Catwalk facility on NM 174. The closure includes the entire length of the Catwalk trail, the trails and trailheads, parking lot, Whitewater Canyon, and Whitewater Picnic Area. Recent high flows across the road have created unsafe driving conditions for passenger cars. NM 174 leads from U.S. Highway180 in Glenwood to the Catwalk National Recreation Area and accesses the site. There are two low water crossings between US 180 and the Catwalk, either or both may be flooded. Motorists should NOT enter these crossings when flood waters are present.

Turn Around, Don’t Drown website: http://tadd.weather.gov/

Contact the local Ranger District office or the Supervisor’s Office for further information, or visit the Forest website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila/