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Road to Owyhee Reservoir reopens after mudslides shut it down, stranding campers

The slides occurred Wednesday evening on Owyhee Lake Road as severe thunderstorms moved though the area.
Credit: Malheur County Sheriff's Office
Crews work to clear a mudslide on Lake Owyhee Road in Malheur County, Oregon.

ADRIAN, Ore. — Crews have cleared several mudslides across a main access road to Owyhee Reservoir in Malheur County.

The slides occurred Wednesday evening on Owyhee Lake Road as severe thunderstorms moved though the area.

About 120 campers were initially stranded due to the slides, but Malheur County Sheriff Brian Wolfe said earlier Thursday that crews had cleared a slide blocking access to Camp Highcliff, allowing about 40 campers to leave, if they choose.

By Thursday evening, crews had cleared the rest of the slides farther up the road, which had stranded another 75 to 80 campers.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department said Lake Owyhee State Park is closed until crews can assess road conditions. Owyhee Lake Road is the only access road to the park. 

According to the sheriff's office, one vehicle was caught in the slides. The occupants of the vehicle managed to escape without injury.

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