Emergency officials say risk of Leavenworth dam failure is there but no need for evacuations

  • Source: iFiberOne
  • Published: 05/10/2018 03:22 AM

Concern about a possible breach at Eightmile Dam near Leavenworth is growing but Chelan County Emergency Management officials say the situation isn’t calling for any evacuations yet. A recent rise in water levels could spell trouble for residents living downstream on the Icicle River if the 100-year-old dam were to give way. advertisement The dam is in the Alpine Lake Wilderness and operated by the Icicle-Peshastin Irrigation District. The aging structure and is in a deteriorating condition. Because the area was significantly burned in the Jack Creek wildfire in 2017, Eightmile Lake is more vulnerable to erosion and flash flooding, which could overwhelm the dam. Authorities say a breach in the dam could cause a significant wave of water to flow down Eightmile Creek into Icicle Creek near Eightmile Campground and quickly raise the level of Icicle Creek.



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