Amid dam crack concerns, emergency fishing closure issued for Panguitch Lake

Jonathon Sharp
·2 min read
1

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Citing safety concerns over a large crack in Panguitch Lake Dam, Utah wildlife officials issued an emergency fishing closure Wednesday for the high-mountain reservoir in southern Utah.

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Director J. Shirley made the emergency change to the Utah Fishing Guidebook, immediately closing the reservoir to anglers, according to a news release from the agency. The reservoir will remain closed for fishing until further notice.

Dam damage prompts ‘Level 2 Emergency Situation’ for residents — Here’s what it means

“Public safety is a top priority for us, and we want to deter anglers and others from visiting the area at this time,” Shirley said.

The emergency fishing closure comes less than a day after officials in Garfield County posted an “urgent public safety announcement” concerning damage on the dam.

Panguitch Lake Dam suffered damage resulting in a crack in its upper portion (Courtesy: Dave Dodds / Garfield Co. Public Works)
Panguitch Lake Dam suffered damage resulting in a crack in its upper portion (Courtesy: Dave Dodds / Garfield Co. Public Works)

The sheriff’s office said the situation is being monitored as a Level 2 Emergency, meaning that there’s “potential risks identified with the dam’s integrity.” However, there is currently no immediate risk to public safety.

Still, officials are prepared to respond should the dam burst and send water rushing toward the southern Utah city, which is home to around 1,700 people. They assured the public that there’d be plenty of time for an orderly evacuation.

Utah highway closed after crack found in Panguitch Lake dam

Should the dam fail, residents were advised to evacuate the city heading east on Highway 89, a map posted by the sheriff’s office showed. The map noted that the highest impact for flood damage would be areas along Panguitch Creek through the north side of town.

As a precaution, officials also closed Highway 143 on Tuesday, as the byway leads to the mountain lake. However, access to the road above the lake remains open.

According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Panguitch Lake offers anglers boat and shoreline fishing access for rainbow trout, Bear Lake cutthroat, and tiger trout. The agency notes that Panguitch, a word in the Piute language, means “big fish.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.