Tempe Town Lake Dam Collapses, Filling Dry Riverbed

July 21st, 2010 - 7:50 pm ICT by GD  

By Ranjan Bhaduri
photo_1088313_resize_articleJuly 21, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Yesterday evening the students of the Arizona State University were alarmed at the sound of water gushing and some of them could also feel the ground was shaking all of a sudden. Later they found out that the dam on the Tempe Town Lake broke down. It was quite unexpected but the authorities lost no time in warning people. The lake has lost a lot of water by now owing to the collapse of the dam. As the dam broke down the water ran downstream into the dry riverbed. The dam that collapsed was 16 feet tall. No one was injured after the dam came down.

The riverbed was filled with the gushing water fast and as a result the animals grazing on it started running to the shore. The lake was built in the year 1999. The authorities started warning the residents immediately and they activated warning sirens. The residents living in the region could also hear the sound ad they came to the spot. The officials also ran beside the river shore and warned people who could be at danger. The water was gushing at 15,000 cubic feet per second. The Tempe mayor said that the safety of the residents was the top priority.

The dams are supposed to last for more than 25 years but one of these dams gave in earlier and an investigation is underway. It is being suspected that the harsh weather of Arizona weakened the dam. After the dam collapsed the level of water fell sharply. The residents said that it was quite unexpected. The alertness of the authorities helped in damaging controls.

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