Possible dam failure in El Paso near New Mexico-Texas border

El Paso Water didn’t assess a now-failing dam before acquiring Cement Lake property last month

El Paso Water purchased a 300-acre Upper Valley site last month to preserve open space, but didn’t inspect a 117-year-old dam on the property that is now in danger of breaching and flooding nearby areas, utility officials said Friday in response to questions from El Paso Matters. “Structural assessments of the dam were not conducted as part of the acquisition process,” El Paso Water spokesperson Denise Parra said. “After taking ownership, the EP…

Potential dam breach prompts closure, reopening of Rosa's Cantina

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)-- Rosa's Cantina briefly evacuated Thursday night after police warned a nearby dam could be at risk of breaching, its manager said. Falicia Remotigue, manager of Rosa’s Cantina, said El Paso police arrived and told staff the dam was likely to breach, prompting a swift shutdown. “Within the hour, we made sure everyone was safely evacuated. Then we all took off and locked up,” Remotigue said. By late Thursday evening, officia…

Possible dam failure in El Paso near New Mexico-Texas border

Officials with El Paso Water issued an urgent update on escalating risks at Cement Lake Dam, also known as Portland Reservoir, as engineers observe signs that could indicate a potential dam failure.

Rosa's Cantina to reopen after announcing closure due to 'developments' at nearby dam

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- El Paso's iconic Rosa's Cantina announced it will reopen Friday after it was forced to close Thursday, April 23. The closure was announced Thursday evening after El Paso Water's mitigation efforts at Cement Lake worsened as crews pumped water from the dam earlier in the day. In a news release [...]