CAMDEN, Texas – Property owners say no leaks have been found at the Carter Lake Dam after an 8-inch hole was discovered last weekend, an issue that triggered a temporary evacuation for nearby residents.
Since then, the owners have been working with an engineer to come up with a plan to modify the spillway and keep the lake’s water level about two feet below the damaged area. Pumping operations to lower the water will continue through Thursday.
They also plan to drop the water level even further, about three to four feet below where it originally stood, to prevent any additional damage.
Emergency management officials say they’ll stay in close contact with the property owners until the spillway modifications and dam repairs are complete.
The trouble started Saturday when Polk County Emergency Management warned that the dam had been compromised, prompting an immediate evacuation for residents living nearby.
By Sunday morning, emergency crews met with property owners on site to assess the damage to the earthen embankment at Carter Lake, a mid-sized lake on private property. Officials confirmed there was an 8-inch hole in the embankment with a steady flow of water leaking through.
Property owners quickly brought in high-volume pumps to help lower the lake’s water level below the damaged section.
By Monday, residents were allowed to return home, but officials are asking everyone to be cautious when driving over bridges or through low-lying areas near Dabbs Creek. Pumping operations are expected to continue for the next few days.