Evacuation notice lifted in Utah town downstream from cracked dam
Associated PressSALT LAKE CITY — An evacuation notice was lifted Friday for the southern Utah town just downstream from a fissured dam after public safety officials said they were able to release enough water to prevent a total breach. As of Friday, water levels in the reservoir had dropped 8 inches, alleviating enough pressure on the dam that state and local officials said they could confidently lift an evacuation notice urging residents to be ready to leave town within two hours of a breach. Everett Taylor, an assistant engineer for dam safety with the Utah Division of Water Rights, urged residents to remain vigilant through the spring runoff season, as unforeseen circumstances might lead officials to reinstate the evacuation notice. While the dam itself no longer poses a present danger to nearby communities, Matthews said, the controlled release from the reservoir has caused cold water to surge through the town’s creeks and streams.
History of this topic
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