EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — A potential dam breach at El Paso Water’s Cement Lake in West El Paso could have sent water, sediment and debris into nearby streets within minutes, utility officials said Wednesday during a Public Service Board meeting where leaders presented a detailed timeline of the emergency response.
Felipe Lopez, El Paso Water’s chief engineering officer, said officials were told that once a breach began, “within seven minutes a hole about 60ft wide” could form.
“This would allow a four-foot wave of water with sediment and other, debris to flow down downstream to the streets,” Lopez said.
El Paso Water officials said there was never believed to be a danger to nearby neighborhoods, with the primary concern focused on roads and low-lying areas downstream from the dam.
Cement Lake sits between I-10 and Doniphan Drive.
El Paso Water first alerted the public about the potential dam breach on April 22.
El Paso Water said it bought the Cement Lake property from the Texas Department of Transportation on March 26.
The utility said nearby crews who were not with El Paso Water later noticed higher water levels and reported the issue to TxDOT.
Utility officials said TxDOT passed that information to El Paso Water in mid-April.
Lopez said El Paso Water hired a consultant to inspect the site on April 22. “They observed erosion and ponding water behind the downstream face of the dam,” Lopez said.
El Paso Water said crews then worked around the clock using pumps to lower water levels and reduce pressure on the dam, prompting multiple road closures in the area.
Jordan Salas reports on El Paso Water’s timeline of the Cement Lake dam breach
Officials said the water level was eventually lowered by about 17 feet, allowing roads to reopen on April 26.
El Paso Water President and CEO John Balliew said the dam was not inspected before El Paso Water purchased the property.
“There was no specific inspection of the dam prior to purchasing. There was the normal real estate assessment done of the property, but not specifically the dam,” Balliew said.
Balliew also said there had never been previous concerns raised about the dam.
Federal records show the dam is more than 100 years old, and those same records show the last documented inspection was in 1996.
Balliew said repairs and stabilization work at Cement Lake would be paid for using the utility’s stormwater revenue, which comes from a monthly fee paid by customers.
El Paso Water said it remains in a response phase focused on maintaining water levels and ensuring the dam’s stability.
A spokesperson said the utility is looking into long-term solutions, but there is no confirmed project yet.
El Paso Water said the dam is now safe and stable, while long-term work continues to be evaluated.
Officials said that includes plans for a new spillway and considering what public access could eventually look like around Cement Lake.
The full Public Service Board meeting, including the Cement Lake presentation, can be watched here.
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