In an urgent response to a critical situation in rural Utah, emergency teams swiftly engaged in efforts to reinforce the Panguitch Lake Dam after discovering a significant 60-foot crack. This alarming fissure allowed water to rapidly flow into a downstream creek, placing the safety and well-being of approximately 1,800 inhabitants of a nearby town in jeopardy.
Despite the serious implications of the crack, both state and local leadership have maintained that the dam’s collapse is not immediately imminent. However, they have proactively prepared the community for a potential evacuation, should the situation deteriorate further.
This preparation included distributing detailed evacuation guidelines at a community meeting held on Wednesday evening, an initiative aimed at reducing panic among the town’s residents.
Everett Taylor, representing the Utah Division of Water Rights as an assistant state engineer for dam safety, addressed the community with a cautiously optimistic tone. He acknowledged the severity of the situation but also highlighted the significant progress made in a single day towards mitigating the risk.
Taylor outlined the plan to lower the reservoir’s water level to a point below the damaged section, a process expected to extend over several days. By Wednesday evening, efforts had successfully covered nearly 45 feet of the crack with boulders, yet approximately 2 feet of water still remained above the breach.
Taylor further explained the cause of the crack, attributing it to an ice sheet that had pressed against the dam, leading to the top portion cracking and tilting downstream. Through strategic cuts in the ice sheet, the team was able to alleviate some pressure on the dam, which has since seen some correction in its tilt.
The discovery of the crack came as a surprise during a routine inspection on Monday night, with the state making a public announcement the following day. The situation has been classified as a level 2 breach risk, indicating a potential for dam failure but not immediate danger.
Local and state officials have formulated a detailed evacuation plan involving the Red Cross and law enforcement, should the dam breach. Panguitch, situated about 10 miles downstream from the dam, and the smaller Circleville, further downstream, are the primary areas of concern for potential flooding.
Sgt. Jacob Cox from the Utah Highway Patrol reassured residents that there would be sufficient time to evacuate safely in an organized manner, estimating a two-hour window before floodwaters could pose a significant threat to the town.
Emergency response measures have also been implemented, including the strategic release of water from the reservoir and the importation of large rocks to buttress the dam. The community has been advised to stay clear of the creek receiving the runoff, especially considering the heightened water levels posing additional risks.
The dam’s vulnerability was unexpected, especially since the structure, originally built in the late 1800s and reinforced in the 1930s and 1940s, had not previously shown signs of structural weakness.
Mayor Kim Soper’s emotional appeal to the community emphasized resilience in the face of adversity, recalling a past crisis in 2017 where the community similarly rallied together. His message underscored a spirit of determination and collective strength, reassuring residents that, despite the current emergency, the community would persevere.