GARFIELD COUNTY, Utah — Cracks in the Panguitch Lake Dam are causing concern for a possible dam failure, but officials said Wednesday that the issues are only in an expansion portion of the structure and not likely to cause a complete failure.
On Monday, the Garfield County Sheriff's Office shared the Panguitch Lake Dam was damaged, resulting in "transverse cracking on the upper portion of the dam."
In the latest update, the Utah Department of Public Safety said the cracking was contained to a 2-5 foot expansion section of the dam that had started to tilt. This was caused by high water levels and ice pressure, officials said.
"The main portion of the dam is intact. The affected area is an expansion that was added to the top of the dam in the 1930s/40s. If a failure did occur, only this top 2-5 feet would likely breach. A complete dam breach is not likely or anticipated," a press release on Wednesday stated.
Wednesday evening, officials said crews made several cuts across the ice to relieve pressure pushing on the dam and added rock to support the wall. The efforts changed the tilt of the concerning section from eight degrees to two degrees.
Tuesday at 6 p.m., the sheriff's office escalated their monitoring to a "Level 2 Emergency Situation." They explained that this means there is a potential for dam failure. They said there is no immediate threat to public safety, but said residents need to be on alert should that change.
"Don't wait for 'if,' but 'when,'" said Wade Matthews, the public information officer for the Utah Division of Emergency Management. "Start thinking about your disaster supply kit, your important documents, other important items you have at home. Get those ready to go now."
Utah DPS Lt. Cameron Roden said crews are doing mitigation work to help improve the situation.
"They're trying to relieve some of the pressure of the ice on that expansion section by doing some trenching across the ice to allow that ice to expand and pull away from the dam," Roden said. "They're also releasing more water to try and bring those water levels of the lake down."
The county said in a later update that crews are making good progress:
Garfield County officials gave the following information and maps for residents to follow if evacuation orders are issued:
"We are currently coordinating with emergency management personnel and local authorities to prepare for any potential outcomes. It is crucial that residents of Panguitch and surrounding areas be prepared for a possible evacuation should we reach a Level 3 situation, which would indicate imminent dam failure," the statement read in part. "Please know that if a failure occurs, we feel there is plenty of time to conduct an orderly evacuation before the water reaches Panguitch."
The Sheriff's office urged the public to watch for updates on their Facebook page and on their website: garfield.utah.gov.
State officials said they are doing the following to help mitigate the situation:
- Releasing water to lower the level of the lake. At the current rate of incoming and outgoing water, it could take 8 to 10 days to get the water below the affected area.
- Material will be added to the dam to support affected dam sections.
- Trenching the reservoir ice to relieve pressure on the top section of the dam.
- Clearing water pathways to prevent any debris fields and stream overflows.
As conditions are monitored and out of an abundance of caution, officials shut down Highway 143 and limited access to the lake. On Wednesday, East Fork/Tropic Reservoir Road was also closed due to "high amounts of spring runoff."
Saying the road had become saturated, officials shut down traffic to "mitigate potential damages." The road will be reevaluated and reopened as soon as it is safe to do so.
In addition, the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the area in case of the "potential failure" of the dam.
⚠️A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for the potential failure of Panguitch Lake Dam in southern Utah.
— NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) April 10, 2024
Affected areas include low-lying areas along Panguitch Creek.
Stay informed, familiarize yourself with evacuation routes, and ensure your emergency kits are ready. #utwx
The American Red Cross of Utah said they are aware of the situation and are on standby, waiting to help in the case of evacuations.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources issued an emergency closure to fishing on the lake, effective immediately Wednesday. The lake will remain closed to fishing "until further notice" with no estimated time of reopening disclosed by officials.
According to the National Inventory of Dams, the Panguitch Dam was first constructed in 1872. Records specify that failure of the dam would pose a high hazard to life or property. However, officials say if the upper portion were to break, it would take about two hours for the water to reach homes.
