A RURAL community was on alert today amid fears that a reservoir could burst and flood their homes.
Up to 20 households may have to be evacuated and some have already moved out after warnings from police.
One father said he and his family fled their home yesterday after being told the dam, near Ladyland Castle in Renfrewshire, was close to burst
ing.
Heavy rain over the weekend affected its structural integrity, and roads running near the reservoir have been closed because of the potential risk of flooding.
Diarmid MacArthur, 51, who lives about three miles from the reservoir, said police advised him to leave his home yesterday afternoon because of the danger.
His property could be at risk because it is only two fields away from the Maich Burn, which may overflow.
He has moved to a nearby bed and breakfast with his wife and two daughters and will stay there until they are given the all clear to return.
He said: "When the police asked us to leave it was not a question of if, it was when it was going to burst its banks.
"They said it could be three hours or three days as the water was within 3ft of the top and the banks starting to crumble.
"We are very concerned but at least we've had warning and could move things upstairs.
"It is a slightly surreal situation, one minute you are out cutting the grass with the garden looking nice, the next thing you are being evacuated."
He said he had heard that four other households in the area also left their homes following advice from police.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issued a flood watch for the area around the dam, known as Maich Fisheries.
It stated: "While work is progressing to control the release of water, there is a potential risk of failure and the sudden release of the water stored behind the dam.
"Should there be a significant release of water, there will be a rapid increase in the volume, depth and velocity of water in the Maich Water channel.
"There is therefore a risk of flooding and erosion of the channel."
Sepa said that paths, roads and property next to the Maich Water could be at risk if the dam bursts.
The A760 between Lochwinnoch and Kilbirnie and Ladyland Road have been closed.
Police said they have made contact with all householders in the affected areas, around 20 homes, with a view to evacuating those most at risk if necessary.
Strathclyde Police said that remedial work has started and that a pumping operation to drain the dam was under way.
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and contractors were involved in the operation which is expected to take between 24 and 48 hours.
Once it is drained, significant building work will begin.
Members of the public, including motorists, pedestrians, joggers and cyclists were advised to avoid the area.
The warning comes days after the River Garnock burst its banks, causing flooding problems in Kilbirnie in Ayrshire.
The full article contains 512 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
