Exercise looks at dam break possibility

Monday afternoon, County Emergency Management Coordinator Bill Gordon hosted a meeting with regard to what would happen to Thermopolis should the dam at Boysen Reservoir break. Gordon noted he has the utmost faith in the dam’s integrity and in the Bureau of Reclamation, but having a plan in place now will help people get out of the way should something happen.

Those attending the meeting included representatives of law enforcement, town governments, emergency services, businesses and the community at large.

For the sake of the scenario of a dam break, Gordon said there would not be a specific cause cited, and it would look at the worst-case incidence. He further added looking at the worst case would get the town ahead of the game in terms of incidents, as it would mean a full evacuation.

Gordon presented recreations of inundation maps put out by the Bureau of Reclamation at the Corps of Engineers. He emphasized the maps are not the official maps. For the purpose of discussion, Gordon focused on the area from the Wedding of the Waters going north.

Gordon explained if there is a dam breakage, for any reason, the Bureau of Reclamation center in Casper has sensors that notify them the level of the lake is dropping indicating the lake would empty out. From that point, it would take about 15 minutes for local dispatch to receive word. At that time, there would be about 45 minutes before the water comes out of the canyon and hits town. Within two hours, level is at over 50 feet, and “we’ve got to be gone,” Gordon said.

Also during the meeting, Gordon pointed out the likely escape routes would be to the north and west. There needs to be more than one route out of town, due to problems that can result from traffic congestion. Additionally, it needs to be determined along which routes people will be evacuated, and how to evacuate those people with mobility issues.

Though the buffalo pasture was suggested as a possible safe area, Gordon explained if it were sheer matter of survival, the pasture could be used. However, the floodwaters would destroy much of the town resulting in possible blockage, and those in the pasture might find themselves sitting on the shore of a very large, very toxic lake for a long time before help arrives.

Gordon also mentioned there have been discussions of using Thermopolis Middle School and the fire hall as shelters. He pointed out that’s not a good idea as emergency services would be extremely busy. Also, if this were to happen on a school day, students from area schools would likely be using the middle school

At 45 minutes into the meeting, Gordon noted the time they had spent discussing issues would be the same amount they would need to evacuate, “and we aren’t even out of town yet.”

Getting people out of danger is a top priority, Gordon said, and people need to have plans for themselves, so they can leave quickly and be gone for a long time. He further noted there wouldn’t be a lot in town to come back to if this incident happens.

The meeting was the first exercise regarding a yearlong preparation for if the dam breaks. A workshop is planned for later this year, followed by a tabletop exercise, functional exercise and a full-scale exercise.