EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Crews continue working to stabilize conditions at Cement Lake in West El Paso following new concerns identified late Thursday, April, 24.
According to officials with EP Water, increased embankment movement and water seepage were detected Thursday night. However, crews monitoring the site overnight reported only minimal additional shifting.
Dam failure risk grows as new developments raise concerns at site
As a precaution, EP Water remains in close coordination with the City-County Office of Emergency Management, which has activated its Emergency Operations Center to support response efforts.
By Friday morning, crews had successfully lowered the lake level by about four feet. Officials say up to ten feet of water may need to be removed to further reduce pressure and stabilize the dam.
KTSM 9 News cameras captured video showing crews at the dam relocated to higher ground.
Efforts to drain the lake are ongoing, with 12 pumps expected to operate throughout Friday, April 24. Engineering teams are also continuing constant monitoring of the dam’s condition while working alongside regional partners.
Roadways in areas that could be impacted by potential flooding remain closed and are expected to stay restricted. Officials warned that if the dam were to fail, those areas would likely be inundated with water.
While a nearby residential community sits on higher ground and homes are not expected to flood, access to and from the neighborhood could be disrupted.
Buena Vista neighborhood (Cristina Perales)
Authorities are urging the public to stay out of closed areas, follow all traffic controls, and remain alert for updates. Residents are also advised to follow any instructions issued by emergency management officials as crews continue mitigation efforts.
Officials with the City of Sunland Park spoke out Friday afternoon, letting the public know it is working with regional partners to monitor structural concerns at the dam.
As of 11 a.m. on April 24, officials confirmed that water levels behind the dam have been reduced to 48 inches.
Authorities said based on current flood modeling and expert analysis, there is no threat to residential areas in Sunland Park. “Any potential water release is to remain contained within the Rio Grande channel,” said City of Sunland Park Mayor Javier Perea.
At this time, no evacuations are planned, and residents are not being asked to leave their homes.
Sunland Park officials are coordinating around the clock with multiple agencies, including the El Paso Office of Emergency Management, the Elephant Butte Irrigation District, the Doña Ana County Flood Commission, and the Sunland Park Fire Department.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.