Alabama Reservoir IED Detonated

Authorities reported on Thursday that a grenade-shaped improvised explosive device (IED) was found and detonated in a reservoir in Alabama that supplies drinking water to approximately 350,000 residents.

Divers, conducting routine maintenance at the Converse Reservoir Dam, identified the device, described by the Mobile Area Water and Sewerage System (MAWSS) as a “grenade-style IED,” and promptly informed the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO).

A multi-agency team, which included personnel from the FBI Bomb Squad and other law enforcement units, took charge of securing and detonating the device. MAWSS indicated that this collaborative effort was crucial in addressing the potential threat.

MAWSS Director Bud McCrory called the discovery of the IED an “unprecedented threat” to the region’s water supply. He expressed gratitude for the timely detection, remarking, “We are fortunate to have detected this device before it could cause significant damage to water supplies or harm to individuals.”

Converse Reservoir is essential for the drinking water needs of those living in Mobile. McCrory praised the professionalism of the law enforcement partners and the efficiency of contractors and divers in safely handling the situation.

Following the incident, MAWSS is collaborating with law enforcement to investigate how the IED ended up in the reservoir and its duration there. Plans are also underway to enhance security measures around the dam.

The federal government classifies Converse Reservoir and its dam as critical infrastructure, noting that the dam is considered high risk. This designation implies that a structural defect could potentially lead to loss of life, according to officials.