Cloudburst causes erosion, damages graves at Wanship Cemetery

The Wanship Cemetery. Photo: Google Maps

WANSHIP, Utah — A recent cloudburst caused significant flooding and erosion at the Wanship Cemetery, leaving mud-covered roads, debris-strewn parking areas, and damage to several graves.

Community members began sharing photos and warnings on the “Wanship Info and Happenings” Facebook page after visiting the cemetery following the storm.

“Just a heads-up to anyone with loved ones buried at the Wanship Cemetery,” said a post on the page, which is run by community member Jacqueline Smith Ball. “I just went up to check on our cemetery lots after the cloudburst, and the damage is heartbreaking.”

The post said inches of mud and rocks covered the lower parking area, while floodwaters carved deep channels through portions of the cemetery. Gravestones were misplaced, but there were no exposed caskets observed.

“The graves on the north lower end of the cemetery appear to have been hit the hardest,” the post noted. “If you have family or loved ones buried there, I would highly recommend stopping by to check on them.”

Other residents expressed concern that stormwater has repeatedly affected the historic cemetery and called for improvements to help prevent future erosion.

Residents said volunteers have already begun clearing mud and debris from the cemetery using their own equipment. They also noted that saturated ground conditions have limited cleanup efforts while the site dries.

Summit County acknowledged the damage in a response on the Facebook post, saying officials are coordinating with the Wanship Cemetery District.

“Summit County is aware of the damage caused by recent flooding in the Wanship Cemetery and will work with the Cemetery District to restore the cemetery as soon as conditions allow,” the county wrote.

It was not immediately clear how many graves were affected or what repairs will be required. Cleanup efforts will depend on site conditions following the flooding.

The Wanship Cemetery serves generations of families from the historic ranching community and is one of eastern Summit County’s oldest burial grounds.

Residents with loved ones buried at the cemetery are encouraged to visit the site to assess conditions for themselves while restoration plans move forward.