The entire state of Utah turned their faces toward Panguitch in April as drones and helicopters flew around the dam at Panguitch Lake. Now as the world of news moves on, most people have almost forgotten Panguitch and the fact that we are still threatened by possible flooding.
Thanks to West Panguitch Irrigation Company prematurely releasing water along with the Garfield County road crew and Sheriff taking quick action to protect the citizens of Panguitch, we are breathing a little easier this week.
After a busy and sometimes scary few days in Panguitch, a community meeting was held Wednesday, April 10, at the high school gym. The meeting addressed the flood risk the community faced after a reported crack at the top of the Panguitch Lake Dam earlier in the week.
Water master Austin Owens checks the dam regularly for the West Panguitch Irrigation Company.
Upon first discovering the crack, Owens alerted Allen Henrie, President of West Panguitch Irrigation Company, and they worked that Monday to open the dam’s outlet gate in an effort to drain some of the water from the lake and decrease the force on the dam’s upper wall. By Thursday that week, the outlet discharge had been increased to 220 cubic feet per second, according to data from the Sevier Water Users Association.
The cracking had occurred about two feet below the top of the dam’s concrete wall, which is two feet thick. It is thought the damage was caused by high winds that prior week that pounded the lake’s thick ice against the top of the dam.
There is also a leak somewhat below the two foot addition but the extent of the damage has yet to be determined.
Also on April 10, the Garfield County road crew placed large rocks all along the downstream side of the dam’s upper wall, essentially building a road along the dam’s crest to help stabilize it for the current time. County public works director Dave Dodds quickly authorized the crew to perform this work and Clint Moore, who drove the trackhoe, and his crew worked tirelessly in some precarious situations to shore up the dam.
For now, Panguitch remains in a Level 2 emergency situation, which means there is still potential for dam failure. In the case an evacuation is called, Garfield County Sheriff Eric Houston indicated that sirens would sound and law enforcement would knock on every door in town to be sure everyone was notified. Residents would have a little over two hours to evacuate, and were asked by the Evacuation Committee to exit town eastward down Highway 89 toward Hatch.
Panguitch Lake Dam was first constructed between 1872-1874 at the outlet of the natural lake using rocks and mortar to increase the size of the lake. The entire dam is 23 feet high and quite wide at its base. Since construction, it has been regularly maintained by the West Panguitch Irrigation Company to store water for irrigation.
In 1942, a concrete wall was built onto the top of the dam. This addition ranges from two to five feet in height, leveling off the old dam. In 1975 the final work was done capping the top of the dam. Most of the current cracks are in this concrete wall.
At the current time the West Panguitch Irrigation Company has employed engineers with the RB&G Engineering Company to assess the damage and estimate the cost for repairing or replacing the dam entirely. The engineers for this company started core drilling on Thursday, April 25, to obtain information about how serious and how deep the cracks go.
Options for dam repair and future concerns are being discussed at the West Panguitch Board meetings. Allen Henrie stated that West Panguitch Irrigation Company has set priorities as, 1) safety, 2) repairs 3) providing water for Panguitch residents and farmers for the current year.
For now, extra water is being released from the reservoir to keep the lake’s water level below the dam’s upper wall. As of Monday morning April 29th the water level measured 36.5 inches below the top of the dam.
Of current concern is the runoff upstream from the lake. As of Monday, April 29, the Castle Valley SNOTEL reported a remaining snowpack of 5.3 inches of snow water and the Brian Head SNOTEL reported 16.7 inches. At Panguitch Lake Dam, about 190 cubic feet per second is being released and the lake is currently 84% of capacity.
Allen Henrie said he believes the irrigation company’s shareholders will still have enough water for gardens and crops. When the water is lower, engineers will inspect the entire dam to be sure it is safe to fill next year.
Thanks to all of those who have helped and to the many people who have offered to help at this time. Little sleep has been had by many involved and others have worked long after work hours are over and we are grateful for their diligence.
Panguitch residents are grateful for all those who have fasted and prayed with us as requested by the Panguitch Stake Presidency. This peace of mind has helped us all to think clearly and focus on the solutions for the problem.
Although the road is now open to the lake the public is asked not to go to the area near the dam. Panguitch Lake is now open to fishing from shore as the ice has melted.
Check out The Byway on Facebook and on this site for updates as they are available.
– The Byway
Feature image caption: Panguitch Lake Dam before it was stabilized by breaking up the ice, releasing water, and reinforcing the concrete wall with rock. Courtesy of DPS News Utah.