Runaway barge from Nimitz Lake recovery operation snagged power lines, later wedged under Sidney Baker bridge

In the early morning hours Thursday, a barge and crane involved in the ongoing Nimitz Lake recovery operation went over the dam, snagging power lines that connect to the City of Kerrville’s water treatment plant before the barge came to rest wedged between the columns of the Sidney Baker Street bridge, where it remains today.

The barge, crane and an accompanying tugboat are part of the state’s expansive effort to recover the remains of Cile Steward and Jeff Ramsey, two people still missing from last year’s July 4 flood.

The severed cable knocked out power to more than 900 customers Thursday. As of Friday morning, only the water treatment plant remained without direct power. Kerrville Public Utility Board crews are working to restring the damaged cables — a complicated, tedious job that has required using a drone to run new cable across the river.

The Sidney Baker Street bridge remains closed as a result of the barge lodged beneath it.

The Lead will update this story with additional details as they become available.