The Tempe Town Lake dam was designed to last for 25 to 30 years, said the experts. The rubber blow-up dam containing Tempe Town Lake is a centerpiece of the Tempe, Arizona tourist trade. According to Associated Press reports, however, one of the 11-year-old dam segments burst. Two-thirds to three-fourths of all the water in Tempe Town Lake – thousands of gallons – gushed to the connecting Salt River, a dry riverbed that is known as a spot for homeless people to stay during summer months.
No injuries reported after Tempe Town Lake explosion
Media reports have revealed nothing concerning any injuries at Tempe Town Lake, and also the flood waters have not caused serious property damage as yet. There was a loud boom and ground tremors within the area of the Arizona State University campus, as outlined by on-the-scene witnesses. Seconds afterward, witnesses saw animals fleeing the scene. Minutes later, a safety alarm rang out. It is unclear at this time if homeless persons within the Salt River bed heard the warning or not.
Tempe Town Lake holds one billion gallons
Consider that flow, advises city Mayor Hugh Hallman. City officials apparently knew back in 2007 that Tempe’s hot, dry climate was taking its toll on the rubber dam. But nothing was done. By spring 2009, engineers told Tempe that Town Lake dam was in need of instant repair, but the city did nothing.
What about the homeless?
Officials know the alarm sounded, however they don’t know if the blowout at Tempe Town Lake dam impacted any homeless persons within the dry riverbed. On the surface, it appears that this could possibly be a simple case of negligence and mechanical failure. However, when the cost of homelessness is factored in, there could be fiscal import. A wide array of experts have founded studies that show the U.S. shells out nearly $ 11 billion annually to address chronic homelessness. If such individuals were given permanent homes, Forbes reports that that expense would drop to $ 7.88 billion.
Low-cost housing is the life raft
In Maricopa County, where Tempe is located, AZCentral.com reports that there are approximately 8,000 homeless individuals on any given day. If those 8,000 people – only some of whom may live in the Salt River area near Tempe Town Lake – had homes, not only would the nation be saving money, but Maricopa County would reportedly save as much as 50 percent on emergency resources. Tempe Town Lake doesn’t sound like a homeless story at first, but the disaster could produce something truly good for those needing opportunity.
More information available at these websites
philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/nation/20100721_ap_rubberizeddambreaksatmanmadearizonalake.html
azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/2010/06/11/20100611tempe-homeless-outreach-united-way.html
forbes.com/2006/08/25/us-homeless-aid-cx_np_0828oxford.html
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