Garfield County Sheriff Eric Houston, Incident Commander for the Panguitch Lake incident, released a statement Friday, April 12, lifting the evacuation notice following progress on the dam.
“I am confident with the results of our mitigation efforts to effectively reduce the pressure on the Panguitch Lake dam and the potential for an uncontrolled release,” the sheriff said. “That work allows us to lift the evacuation notice, but I do urge people to stay prepared for this and other types of hazards.”
He added his thanks to the community and the many response partners for the way in which they handled this situation.
This notice was posted at 12:00 p.m. Friday by Garfield County, Panguitch City and The Department of Public Safety.
Closures to Remain in Effect
The statement also reported the following closures and cautionary measures which will remain in effect until further notice:
- The road to Panguitch Lake has been reopened to regular traffic. Certain areas will remain closed or are being monitored.
- The North Shore Road is closed except to property owners.
- The area around the Panguitch Lake Dam will also remain closed due to unsafe conditions.
- Due to high and swift water in Panguitch Creek, Marilyn Bulkley Park is closed.
- Ice fishing on Panguitch Lake is not permitted as ice conditions could be dangerous.
- Use caution near Panguitch Creek. Please watch children and pets to keep them away from the high, swift water.
The National Weather Service has lifted the flash flood watch.
Authorities will continue releasing water and continuously monitoring the situation until levels drop below the cracking concrete. As of Friday morning, the level of the lake had dropped eight inches.
Division of Water Rights staff engineers will also continue to be on-site and work with the sheriff’s office and the dam owner to plan for anticipated runoff. Once those levels have subsided, plans will be developed for permanent repairs to the affected area of Panguitch Lake Dam.
– by Elaine Baldwin
Feature image caption: The Garfield County Roads Department finishes up buttressing the Panguitch Lake Dam. Rushing water is released into Panguitch Creek in the bottom right corner. Courtesy of Utah Department of Public Safety.
Elaine Baldwin – Panguitch
Elaine Baldwin is an Editor/Writer for The Byway. She is the wife of Dale Baldwin, and they have three children, 11 grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Elaine enjoys making a difference in her world. She recently retired after teaching Drama for 20 years at Panguitch High School. She loves volunteering and finds her greatest joy serving in the Cedar City Temple each Friday.