Fayette County monitoring High Point Lake Dam after failure
Residents downstream of High Point Lake Dam in Somerset County were told to stay alert after a sudden failure was reported Sunday.
The Fayette County Emergency Management Agency is in 鈥渃onstant contact鈥� with the Somerset County Emergency Management Agency to monitor the situation, according to Fayette County EMA spokeswoman Sue Griffith.
鈥淎t this point, we鈥檙e not foreseeing any problems,鈥� she said.
Any flooding from the Fort Hill dam would hit Confluence before reaching Fayette County, she said. In the case of a dam break, Director Roy Shipley said the Youghigheny River would rise slightly, potentially impacting the Ohiopyle area near the south side of Confluence.
The terrain was inspected to determine any impact on Fayette County. If a break is expected, Fayette County EMA will issue an alert to residents along the Youghiogheny River, he said.
Rivers and streams downstream from the dam are below flood levels despite heavier-than-normal outflows, meaning the outflow rate is not impacting downstream waterways, according to Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission spokesman Michael Parker. Unless those water levels rise to flood levels, there is no immediate concern, he said.
鈥淭here are no effects at the moment. The situation seems stable and it蘑菇视频 being evaluated 24/7,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e have people monitoring it day and night.鈥�
The commission is updated on the status every several hours, or if any abnormalities are noted, he said. Any dangerous situations would be immediately reported to area emergency management agencies, he said.
A resident reported hearing a loud crash within the dam, followed by heavy flows discharging from an outlet pipe. An evaluation determined the principal spillway intake structure failed suddenly, according to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Areas downstream, including Glade Run, McClintock Run and the Casselman River remain below flood levels. Continual monitoring will continue until the dam is repaired. If the dam fails, the commission will notify the Somerset County Emergency Management Agency, which will issue an alert to residents.
鈥淩esidents should remain cognizant of the situation, and heed any alerts issued by the Somerset County EMA,鈥� the press release said.
The reservoir will be drawn down gradually over the next several weeks.
Information on flood impact and inundation maps can be found at the Somerset County Emergency Management Office, the PA Fish and Boat Commission Southwest Regional Office or Centre Region Office and the Confluence and Addision municipal buildings.