The Mad River Valley is open for business despite the challenges of the recent flooding. Here is what you need to know:
The Road Situation
You can get there from here, it might just take a little more planning and time. Repair work is well underway on the roads damaged by the recent flooding. Here are the main things to know as of today:
- Route 100B through Moretown and Middlesex is now OPEN, providing easier access to I-89
- Route 17 is now open from Route 100
- Route 100 in South Duxbury remains closed due to a bridge washout at Ward Hill Road. You can’t get to Waterbury right now without detouring through Middlesex.
- Route 17 is closed on the west side of the mountain in Bristol. Be aware of this if you’re heading over the Appalachian Gap
For the latest road information, New England 511 is your best resource.
A HUGE thank you to the amazing folks at VTRANS and our dedicated town road crews for working tirelessly to get things patched up. Your hard work and dedication are truly appreciated! 🙌❤️
Swimming
With the warm weather, many are asking about swimming in the river post-flood. Here is advice from our partners at Friends of the Mad River, our local river conservation organization:
- Fast-moving, cloudy water can hide dangerous debris and indicates stormwater is still flowing off the land. If the water looks like chocolate milk, it’s probably best not to swim in it.
- E. coli levels and other potentially harmful bacteria increase after storms. Waiting 24 to 48 hours or until conditions return to normal (normal flow, color, clarity, etc.) is a good rule of thumb.
We don’t test for E. coli since: a) We know the general trends (increase after storms, increase as you head from Warren to Moretown). b) The results take too long to be relevant for real-time swimming safety advice.
For more great advice about swimming, check out the Vermont Department of Healthh Guidelines.
Stay safe and enjoy the beauty of the Mad River Valley
