The viewing area that was closed on Friday (Jan.18) due to a mudslide at the Sooke Potholes Regional Park may be closed permanently, according to the CRD Senior Manager of Parks, Jeff Leahy.

B次元官网网址淲e have an engineerB次元官网网址檚 report that says that the continued failure of the slope is likely to occur and that the timing of those failures canB次元官网网址檛 be predicted,B次元官网网址� said Leahy.

B次元官网网址淭hat presents a very real hazard to the public and weB次元官网网址檒l be keeping the viewing area closed and the warning signs in place.B次元官网网址�

The rockslide closed the viewing area around the old lodge site in the park after a dangerous slide occurred in the area.

Leahy said that the rock slides are a function of steep slopes combined with rocks along or above that slope. Unlike mudslides, which are caused when large amounts of rain can cause soil instability, he explained that rock slides have a very different dynamic.

B次元官网网址淲hat happens is that moisture gets into cracks in the rocks and through freeze/thaw action that rock is made unstable,B次元官网网址� he said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 sort of a hidden hazard that really canB次元官网网址檛 be seen just looking up the slope. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why weB次元官网网址檝e had an engineer take a close look at the situation.B次元官网网址�

As a result of that report, Leahy said that itB次元官网网址檚 unlikely that this particular viewing area will be reopened in the foreseeable future, but stressed that other viewing areas in the park, north of the closed platform, will remain open.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a beautiful park and a wonderful place to visit, but the public is urged to stay away from the closed area and, in general, be aware to stay away from the base of steep slopes in the park. These are natural hazards and very hard to mitigate, so we just urge people to be cautious in the way they use the park.B次元官网网址�

mailto:tim.collins@sookenewsmirror.com
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