Polk County Carter Lake Dam owners to assess damage; others still asked to avoid the area

Polk County Carter Lake dam: Sunday update

Officials say the owner of the Carter Lake dam reported no worsening conditions overnight. Locals are still being asked to stay away.

CAMDEN, Texas - Efforts are reportedly underway to assess the damage at Carter Lake Dam in Polk County. 

Polk County: Carter Lake Dam compromised

The backstory:

The dam was found to have damage to the embankment, the Polk County Emergency Management Office announced Saturday evening. The dam is being assessed for the risk of a potential breach. 

Residents south of the dam, specifically along Henry Darden Rd, Marie Rd, Community Dr, Bo Peep, Herb Collins Rd, and Girard, may be in the path of potential flooding. 

Carter Lake Dam Compromised

All residents in the zone circled in the picture above are urged to evacuate. 

Persons evacuating are encouraged to first seek shelter with friends or family. Dunbar Gym in Livingston, located at 1103 Dunbar Avenue, is available as a shelter for those who cannot make other arrangements.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Polk County until 6 p.m. Monday due to "potential dam or levee failure."

Sunday update

What we know:

According to the Emergency Management Office on Sunday, the private owners of Carter Lake said the situation did not get worse overnight.

In a later update, officials say there is a hole in the embankment that is about eight inches, and there was a "steady flow of water being released." 

The owners are reportedly using pumps to lower the water under the damaged embankment. The excess water is going down the dam's spillway.

As of Sunday night, the owners reportedly said the lake's water level would be below the hole in 8–10 hours. 

The property owners may start speaking with an engineering firm on Monday. Crews will be watching the water pumps and the area in general overnight.

No flooding or "water inundations" have been reported at this time.

Residents and the public are still being asked to avoid the area until further notice.

What we don't know:

The cause of the damage is unknown at this time.

As of this report, there is no estimate on when the embankment will be fixed.