EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
“This would allow a four-foot wave of water with sediment and other, debris to flow down downstream to the streets,” Lopez said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Cement Lake sits between I-10 and Doniphan Drive.<\/p>\n
El Paso Water first alerted the public about the potential dam breach on April 22.<\/p>\n
El Paso Water said it bought the Cement Lake property from the Texas Department of Transportation on March 26. <\/p>\n
The utility said nearby crews who were not with El Paso Water later noticed higher water levels and reported the issue to TxDOT. <\/p>\n
Utility officials said TxDOT passed that information to El Paso Water in mid-April.<\/p>\n
Lopez said El Paso Water hired a consultant to inspect the site on April 22. \u201cThey observed erosion and ponding water behind the downstream face of the dam,\u201d Lopez said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Jordan Salas reports on El Paso Water’s timeline of the Cement Lake dam breach<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Officials said the water level was eventually lowered by about 17 feet, allowing roads to reopen on April 26.<\/p>\n
El Paso Water President and CEO John Balliew said the dam was not inspected before El Paso Water purchased the property.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere 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,\u201d Balliew said.<\/p>\n
Balliew also said there had never been previous concerns raised about the dam. <\/p>\n
Federal records<\/a> show the dam is more than 100 years old, and those same records show the last documented inspection was in 1996.<\/p>\n Balliew said repairs and stabilization work at Cement Lake would be paid for using the utility\u2019s stormwater revenue, which comes from a monthly fee paid by customers.<\/p>\n El Paso Water said it remains in a response phase focused on maintaining water levels and ensuring the dam\u2019s stability. <\/p>\n A spokesperson said the utility is looking into long-term solutions, but there is no confirmed project yet.<\/p>\n El Paso Water said the dam is now safe and stable, while long-term work continues to be evaluated. <\/p>\n Officials said that includes plans for a new spillway and considering what public access could eventually look like around Cement Lake.<\/p>\n The full Public Service Board meeting, including the Cement Lake presentation, can be watched here<\/a>.<\/p>\n RELATED: EP Water warns of possible Cement Lake Dam failure, NWS issues flood watch<\/a><\/p>\n RELATED: El Paso Water says Cement Lake Dam stabilized; roads reopen as crews drain reservoir<\/a><\/p>\n