PRESCOTT, AZ (AZFamily) — Prescott Mayor Cathey Rusing declared a state of emergency after continued heavy rain caused significant flooding throughout the city and overtopped the Watson Lake Dam on Sunday.
The city activated its emergency operations center at 8 a.m. and is coordinating emergency responses across all city departments. The city also works in coordination with Yavapai County and the state of Arizona.
Dams and reservoirs
The Watson Lake Dam, also known as Granite Dam, was overtopped on Sunday. The dam is designed to handle water flowing up to 10 feet above the top, and city officials said they continually monitor it for structural problems.
Water flowing into Watson Lake peaked at more than 4,000 cubic feet per second. Saturated soils, particularly in the mountains, produced runoff two to three times higher than normal, municipal officials said. Flows have since dropped to about 1,680 cubic feet per second.
The Upper Goldwater Reservoir has also peaked and the city is closely monitoring the Lower Goldwater Reservoir. Willow Lake Dam sits 7.5 feet below its spillway and the city reports no structural problems there.
Before the storms, the Department of Public Works opened the 36-inch Watson Lake floodgate and the cross channel leading to Willow Lake. This move lowered the reservoir and made room for incoming stormwater.
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for Yavapai County on Thursday, October 29. It was in effect from Saturday evening until Sunday evening, with a warning of flash flooding due to heavy rain on already saturated ground.
Road and crossing closures at low water
All low water crossings in the city are closed.
Road closures:
- Sixth Street
- Sonora Promenade at Campbell Street
- Rue Granite Sud between rue Aubrey Ouest and rue Leroux Ouest
- Walden Road off White Spar Road
- Brannen Avenue at Miller Valley Road
Low water crossing closures:
- First Street in Merritt
- Sixth Street
- Goodwin at Rush Street
- Hillside at Second Street
- Horizon Hill Walk
- Jack Drive
- Pleasant Valley Walk
- Joseph Street at Cherry Drive
- Leroux at rue Granite Sud
- Lincoln at Grove
- Mayo at Oregon
- Middlebrook, near Hyland
Several traffic lights went out during the day. Drivers should treat any signal that does not operate as a four-way stop and use caution.
Granite Creek Park is also closed.
Sandbags
Sand and sandbags are available in three locations:
- White Spar Fire Station, 333 White Spar Road
- Airport Fire Station, 1980 Club House Drive, near the airport
- CAFMA Fire Station 51 at Iron Springs and Williamson Valley Roads, 1700 Iron Springs Road
Residents must bring their own shovels and fill their own sandbags.
Shelter
Yavapai County and the American Red Cross opened a shelter for those displaced by floodwaters. It is located in the Yavapai College Prescott Campus Gymnasium, 1100 E. Sheldon, Prescott, AZ 86301.
Life-threatening emergencies: Call 911.
Non-emergency flood calls: Call the Yavapai County Emergency Management Phone Bank at 928-442-5103.
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