State Department of Transportation crews used dynamite in an attempt to unstop a clogged culvert Monday on U.S. Highway 101 near the Elwha River west of Port Angeles.

The blast was detonated around 4:30 p.m., but failed to clear the way for a pond of water that had formed behind debris in the culvert on Jackson Creek along the eastern rim of the Elwha River Valley.

Crews at the scene reported that the water was at least 30 feet deep and threatening to undermine U.S. 101.

With more rain in the forecast Monday night, the potential for even more water was great, they said.

The possibility for the highway to give way exists, but was not an immediate concern to road officials Monday afternoon.

Yet the situation was described as “not desirable” by Transportation Project Manager Jerry Moore.

“These (culverts) are not designed to be dams,” he said.

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