Lexington road closed due to compromised pond dam

A compromised dam has a prominent Lexington thoroughfare closed.

South Church Street, between Roberts Street and Gibson Road, is closed due the back side of a dam washing out near the Church Street Commons neighborhood, Lexington Police Department says. The dam retains a pond that runs along South Church Street. A cluster of homes are around the pond.

Crews are working on the dam breach to try and prevent a complete wash out, according to Lexington PD.

Water is leaking out the dam and causing the dam to wash away. Utility crews are on the scene running tests to determine what may happen with the pond and if a breach is imminent. They are also working to alleviate the issue by draining water so that a complete breach doesn’t occur.

If a breach does happened the utility workers and police are hoping the water follows the course of a nearby natural creek which will lead the water away from homes, according to a Lexington Police spokesperson.

“Right now we’re hoping the release of water will prevent the dam from having a breach,” said Cameron Mortenson of the Lexington PD.

Lexington officers are stationed at Roberts Street and Gibson Road and are letting in local traffic for those who live in the area and whose homes are not in danger. South Church street is closed to all other traffic than those who live in the area.

It’s unknown how long South Church Street will be closed, Lexington PD says. The road will be closed for the foreseeable future. The plan is to have the road closed over night but it may be closed into tomorrow as well.

The cause of the washing out dam is still being determined.

Two ponds seat on either side of South Church Street between Roberts Street and Gibson Road. The larger body of water, which is where the dam is breached, sits on the west side of South Church between Haynesworth Place and Glynway Avenue near the neighborhood of Church Street Commons. Another pond not visible from the road is located on the east side of South Church Street between Glynway Avenue and Amick Street.

This story is ongoing and will be updated.

This story was originally published July 31, 2018 at 4:42 PM.