A water line rupture high along a canyon ridge between two reservoirs in Laguna Beach prompted evacuations and closed one of the city’s three main roads.

Early on Wednesday morning, officials with the Laguna Beach County Water District were notified that a mainline — known as a ridge transmission line — ruptured and sent gallons of water down a ravine along Laguna Canyon Road. With the water came mud and debris, and city officials shut down the canyon road in both directions at 6:30 a.m.

Laguna Beach Fire also evacuated people from homes near the break as a precaution.

“Crews are digging it up, and we are investigating what caused it,” said Keith Van Der Maaten, general manager of the water district.

The pipe, a main source of water supply in the city, carries thousands of gallons of water between Top of the World and West Ridge Trail, but water service to homes in that area was not affected, Van Der Maaten said.

“We were able to isolate the leak and move water back around fill both of the reservoirs,” he said.

The pipe — made from Polyvinyl chloride and buried at least 6 feet underground — was installed in the late 1990s. Van Der Maaten said it was surprising that it broke, and the district is sending a contractor to dig up the area and determine the cause.

Laguna Canyon Road will remain closed in both directions from El Toro Road to Canyon Acres until at least midday, Van Der Maaten said.

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