Workers in Salt Lake City were in a rush to reinforce a rural Utah dam following a massive 60-foot crack. The crack caused water to gush into a nearby creek, posing a significant threat to the safety of the 1,800 residents living downstream.
State and local leaders assure residents that the Panguitch Lake Dam is not on the verge of breaking open. However, they have advised residents to be prepared for evacuation in case conditions deteriorate. During a town meeting held on Wednesday evening, emergency management officials distributed a list of evacuation procedures to alleviate concerns and prevent panic among residents.
“I am extremely encouraged by the progress we have made today,” said Everett Taylor, an assistant state engineer for dam safety with the Utah Division of Water Rights, addressing the residents of the southern Utah town. “Although we cannot say that the emergency situation is completely averted, we are moving in the right direction.”
According to the statement, it will take several days to lower the reservoir below the impacted area. As of Wednesday evening, there was still approximately 2 feet of water above the crack. The workers have already placed boulders to cover approximately 45 feet of the crack.
According to Taylor, the dam experienced a crack and tilt downstream due to the pressure caused by an ice sheet pressing against it. To alleviate some of the pressure, Taylor’s team made significant cuts across the ice sheet. As a result, the ice has since receded, and the dam has returned to its original position.
During an inspection on Monday night, local officials made a startling discovery – a fissure in the upper portion of the dam. The news was subsequently announced to the public by state officials on Tuesday. This breach has been classified as a level 2 risk, indicating a moderate potential for dam failure.
In the event of a breach, the Red Cross will collaborate with state and local law enforcement to evacuate Panguitch, a small town located approximately 10 miles downstream from the dam. Further downstream, Circleville, another tiny town, faces a relatively lower risk of flooding.
Sgt. Jacob Cox from the Utah Highway Patrol assured residents on Wednesday that they will have plenty of time to gather their belongings and evacuate the town safely. The Utah Highway Patrol has been assigned the responsibility of assisting in the preparation for a potential evacuation.
“This can be handled in an organized manner,” he explained. “In the event that the notice indicates that the dam has broken or been breached, we still have some time. We estimate that it will take approximately two hours before the floodwaters actually start inundating the town.”
In case of an evacuation, the authorities would activate the sirens to alert the residents. Additionally, law enforcement officers would conduct house-to-house visits to ensure that everyone has evacuated the area safely, as stated by Garfield County Sheriff Eric Houston. Furthermore, a nearby chapel and high school have been designated as emergency shelters to provide assistance and support to those affected.
Water is currently being released from the reservoir at a rate of approximately 260 cubic feet per second in order to lower the water level below the crack. To reinforce the dam wall, large rocks are being transported and strategically placed on the downstream side. Fortunately, there is no rain expected until Saturday, which will help in the ongoing efforts to stabilize the dam.
Dam’s history
The dam’s construction dates back to the late 1800s, with the top portion that cracked being added in the 1930s and 1940s. Surprisingly, there were no prior concerns about its structural integrity, and the crack came as a surprise, according to Taylor.
Deputy State Engineer Michael Drake, in an interview with CBS Salt Lake City affiliate KUTV, mentioned that the Division of Water Rights of the Department of Natural Resources conducts annual inspections on the privately owned dam. The most recent inspection took place in May of 2023, and it successfully met all the required standards without any significant problems. As part of their investigation, authorities are currently examining previous inspection records.
Panguitch Mayor Kim Soper is urging residents to stay away from the creek where runoff from the reservoir is flowing. She is warning that the water level is significantly higher than normal and poses a danger, especially to children.
As he reminisced about the time when a wildfire devastated southern Utah, he couldn’t help but get emotional, tears welling up in his eyes. It was in this very gymnasium back in 2017 that he had tirelessly worked on evacuation plans to ensure the safety of the affected communities.
“We made it through that, and we will make it through this,” Soper reassured his community. “It’s simply a different kind of emergency.”
