Prescott Mayor declares state of emergency after Watson Lake Dam overtopping
Heavy rains triggered a peak inflow of 4,000 cubic feet per second into the reservoir, forcing the city to close roads and activate its emergency operations center.
By Marina Weber ·
Prescott Mayor Cathey Rusing declared a state of emergency on Sunday after continuous rainfall caused widespread flooding and caused Watson Lake Dam to overtop. The city activated its Emergency Operations Center at 8 a.m. to coordinate the response across all municipal departments. Local authorities are currently working alongside Yavapai County and the state of Arizona to manage the crisis.
The dam, also known as Granite Dam, is rated to handle water flowing up to 10 feet over the top. City officials stated that they are continuously monitoring the structure for potential issues. Water flowing into the reservoir peaked at more than 4,000 cubic feet per second before dropping to approximately 1,680 cubic feet per second. Officials attributed the high volume to saturated ground in the mountains, which produced two to three times the normal runoff.
Other water infrastructure remains under close observation. The Upper Goldwater Reservoir has also topped, and the city is monitoring the Lower Goldwater Reservoir. Willow Lake Dam stands 7.5 feet below its spillway with no reported structural concerns. Prior to the storms, the Public Works Department opened Watson Lake’s 36-inch release valve and the crosscut channel to Willow Lake. This action lowered the reservoir levels to create space for incoming stormwater.
The National Weather Service issued a Flood Watch for Yavapai County on October 29. The watch remained in effect from Saturday evening through late Sunday night, warning of flash flooding on already saturated ground. The city has closed all low water crossings and several major roads, including Sixth Street and Sonora Drive at Campbell Street. Granite Creek Park is also closed to the public.
Residents are directed to specific fire stations for sand and sandbags, located at White Spar, Airport, and CAFMA Fire Station 51. The city notes that residents must bring their own shovels to fill the bags. Yavapai County and the American Red Cross have opened a shelter for displaced residents at the Yavapai College Prescott Campus Gymnasium.
Traffic signals that malfunctioned during the day should be treated as four-way stops. The Yavapai County Emergency Management phone bank is available at 928-442-5103 for non-emergency flood calls, while 911 remains the contact for life-threatening emergencies.
Source: KTVK
