A routine maintenance operation at the Big Creek Lake dam turned into a major security emergency on Tuesday after divers discovered an explosive device submerged near the structure.
The discovery at the Converse Reservoir, which serves as the primary drinking water source for the Mobile area, prompted an immediate response from local and federal authorities.
Workers with the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) were conducting repairs when they spotted the item, described as a grenade-like improvised explosive device. Because the 3,600-acre reservoir is a federally designated site, the Department of Homeland Security was notified as a massive perimeter was established.
The Gulf Coast Regional Maritime Response and Render-Safe Team eventually retrieved the bomb and moved it to a secure location, where it was safely detonated. Investigators have not yet identified any suspects or determined how the device ended up underwater at the dam.
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“This is an unprecedented threat, and we are fortunate that this device was discovered before it could cause serious damage to our water supply or harm to individuals,” said MAWSS Director Bud McCrory. “We are grateful for the professionalism and competency of our law enforcement partners — as well as the quick thinking of our contractors and divers — in identifying this device and safely destroying it.”
The response involved a massive coalition of agencies, including the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI, the Mobile Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Daphne Search and Rescue Team.
Following the incident, officials confirmed that security measures around the dam are being significantly increased to prevent future threats to the region’s water supply.
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