Crime & Safety

Report Of Mansfield Dam Intruder Prompts Robust Police Response

A heavy police presence that included SWAT team members descended to the site that turned out to be something of a false alarm.

Reports of an intruder prompted a robust police response to Mansfield Dam on Tuesday, but nothing was found.
Reports of an intruder prompted a robust police response to Mansfield Dam on Tuesday, but nothing was found. (Shutterstock)

AUSTIN, TX β€” Reports of a trespasser late Tuesday morning at the Mansfield Dam just outside Austin prompted a robust police response before the all-clear was given later in the afternoon.

Officials from the Lower Colorado River Authority agency that operates the dam descended to the site along with law enforcement personnel and a police SWAT team after reports of an intruder. But after several hours, no such person was found and the site was not impacted in any way.

Patch reached out to police for information as word of the intruder spread, but officials there directed question to the Lower Colorado River Authority in saying they were merely assisting the agency. A request for information by Patch to the dam's operators resulted in this statement from spokeswoman Clara Tuma: "We are investigating a possible incident at Mansfield Dam. As we know more, we will let you know."

Find out what's happening in Austinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

By 3 p.m., Lower Colorado River Authority officials confirmed the robust police response came amid of a call about a supposed intruder shortly after 8:30 a.m. After a thorough search of the area, no intruder was found and the area was deemed safe.

Agency officials said at the press conference they would review their security system to ensure it was working properly. No further details were disclosed.

Find out what's happening in Austinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mansfield Dam is located across a canyon at Marshall Ford on the Colorado River some 13 miles northwest of Austin. It was first opened in February 1937 as a joint project by the Lower Colorado River Authority and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation with partial funding from the Public Works Administration.


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