Enoch » A crack snaking its way across the ground in Enoch is preventing construction in one subdivision and could grow into future problems for the residential community north of Cedar City, including ultimately threatening the town's water supply.
William Lund, senior scientist with the Utah Geological Survey for southern Utah, said the fissure is caused by farmers over-pumping the aquifer underlying Cedar Valley, causing the ground to settle and crack.
"The water is being pumped from the aquifer faster than it is being recharged," Lund said.
The fissure, which is 13,000 feet long and was probably first formed in the early 1960s, was discovered by a city work crew and runs through a subdivision that has all the infrastructure ready to go -- including water and sewer lines, electricity and telephone equipment.
"This [fissure] is unique because it is the first one in Utah to seriously effect infrastructure," Lund said. "It has reversed the flow of the sewer line."
He said if the fissure's depth reaches the aquifer, the opening could allow surface water to run directly into the water -- bringing pollutants with it.
Lund's office has been hired by the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District to study the fissure, learn if there are others and determine what can be done to mitigate its advance.
Scott Wilson, director of the water conservancy district whose agency is responsible for developing area water resources, is concerned about potential problems the Enoch fissure presents.
The logical way to deal with the problem is to pump less water from the aquifer, but Wilson acknowledges interfering with water rights can be an issue.
"In terms of a policy perspective, I believe with our mission and legal authority we have to work cooperatively in a free market with water operators, regulatory agencies and the city on land use management plans," Wilson said. "It's not going to be a cakewalk."
Enoch City Manager Bryan Dial said Friday that the city is hoping Lund's report provides enough information on how to successfully deal with the problem., adding the loss of the subdivision will hurt the city.
"It's a difficult thing," said Dial. "So much went into developing that subdivision [first] phase and now we can't do anything after all the work."
Anyone living in Iron County who notices what might be fissures on his or her property is urged to call the Utah Geological Survey in Cedar City at 435-865-9034.
