Controlled Dam Breach At Cascade Lake Underway
HAMPSTEAD, Md. (WJZ) — Taking it down before it gives way. That strategy is paying off at a Carroll County lake, where heavy rains have weakened an earthen dam.
Heavy equipment has been brought in to Cascade Lake near Hampstead after the dam showed signs of damage.
For days, water has been pumped into a nearby stream to reduce pressure on the dam and lower the lake's water level.
"There'll be no extra flowing of water downstream. The plan is just the opposite; to contain the water and control of the water that's released through pumping," said Carroll County Sheriff's Office spokesman Tim Brown.
A section of Route 482 was most at-risk if the dam collapsed. Roadblocks are set up just in case flooding happens.
There are a handful of houses below the dam, but the sheriff's office says they are above the floodplain and not threatened.
Meanwhile, the lake is down at least seven feet and continues to drop. As it does, more of the dam is removed. A process that is greatly reducing the threat of a sudden large release of water from the lake.
"As they get down to the level they were at today, there should be no damage from flooding in the area of 482," Brown added.
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