PANGUITCH — Officials on Wednesday released updated information regarding the status of the Panguitch Lake dam.

According to a joint news release issued by Garfield County, Panguitch City and Utah Department of Public Safety, the issue with the potential dam was first noticed Monday evening by members of the West Panguitch Irrigation and Reservoir Company.  

“Crews inspected the dam and found that due to high water levels and ice pressure, a 2-5-foot expansion section of the Panguitch Lake Dam has started to tilt as well as developed some cracking, causing concern that the top 2-5 feet of the dam section could be compromised,” the news release states.

“The main portion of the dam is intact,” the statement adds, noting that the affected area is an expansion that was added to the top of the dam sometime in the 1930s or 1940s.

Even if the dam were to fail, only the top 2-5 feet of water in the lake would breach through, the statement adds, noting, “A complete dam breach is not likely or anticipated.”

The risk level remains at Level 2, according to the release. 

“As of now, the breach risk is at a level 2 of 3 levels, as designated by the irrigation company,” the statement says,.

Level designations are as follows: Level 1 – unusual event; Level 2 – potential dam failure situation; and Level 3 – urgent: dam failure imminent.

The 17-mile stretch of state Route 143 between Panguitch town and Panguitch Lake remains closed to traffic, and the lake itself also has been closed to fishing as a precaution.

A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Panguitch High School starting at 6 p.m., during which officials are expected to share the latest updates and answer questions from residents. The meeting will be streamed live; to access, click here.

Wednesday afternoon’s news release also outlined several mitigation measures that are being taken, including the following:

• Releasing water to lower the level of the lake. At the current rate of incoming and outgoing water, it could take 8-10 days to get the water below the affected area.
• Adding material 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.

The release also notes that if a breach were to occur, homes and properties on the western portion of Panguitch could be affected by flood waters. If such a failure does occur, traffic and evacuation plans have been established.

Meanwhile, Panguitch City remains fully functioning, open for business and not under evacuation orders, the news release adds.

Utah Department of Public Safety is assisting Garfield County, Panguitch City and other state departments to disseminate information, provide traffic control, and coordinate community activities.

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