Yellowstone Flood Response | Highway 14 Slope Stabilization

Infrastructure at Risk from Flood-Induced Erosion

The devastating floods of June 2022 not only cut off primary access routes but also severely compromised the infrastructure along US Highway 14 near Yellowstone’s East Entrance at Middle Creek. Torrential floodwaters eroded the roadway shoulder and adjacent slopes, leaving the highway vulnerable to further collapse and threatening long-term access to this critical corridor.

This area was particularly challenging due to ongoing erosion from Middle Creek’s swollen banks and the instability of surrounding soils, which had been undermined by sustained high-water flows. The Wyoming Department of Transportation recognized the urgent need for emergency stabilization to prevent further infrastructure loss and maintain public access.

Innovative, Multi-Disciplinary Stabilization Approach

GeoStabilization International was selected to provide a turnkey, emergency response solution designed to stabilize approximately 120 linear feet of compromised roadway shoulder and rebuild lost structural capacity while protecting against future scour events.

The comprehensive stabilization strategy incorporated:

• Continuously Grouted Hollow Bar Soil Nails to reinforce the underlying slope and resist future movement.
• Vertical Micropiles to provide deep foundational support where the shoulder had been eroded away.
• Shotcrete Facing to bind and protect exposed soils and enhance structural performance.
• Riprap Installation to armor the creek bank against ongoing scour and high-flow events.

Due to the emergency conditions and lack of detailed geotechnical data, GSI’s engineers employed on-site testing and adaptive design practices to refine the stabilization methods as work progressed. This ensured that every installed element responded to the actual subsurface conditions encountered, optimizing performance and longevity.

Infrastructure Secured, Access Preserved

Despite the project’s complexity and the urgent timeline, GeoStabilization’s rapid mobilization and field adaptability allowed the stabilization to be completed swiftly, with minimal disruption to the traveling public. By collaborating closely with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, National Park Service, and Federal Highway Administration, GSI ensured this vital corridor remained open to both tourists and emergency responders.

The successful completion of this project safeguarded critical infrastructure, mitigated future erosion risks, and preserved access to Yellowstone National Park’s East Entrance, providing a long-term resilient solution in the face of increasingly volatile environmental conditions.