Beginning October 9, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Great Lakes and Ohio River Division's (LRD) Water Management team initiated low-flow operations to minimize impacts felt by flow fluctuations along the Ohio River exacerbated by the low flow/drought conditions, and balance conditions along the Lower Ohio River as they pertain to navigation and hydropower demands.
UPDATE (November 7, 2024):
Heavy rainfall across the Upper Mississippi Valley over the past several days has resulted in increased flows along the Upper Mississippi, leading to rising Cairo stages. Cairo is currently forecast to crest near 25 ft by 11/09, receding to near 11 ft by the end of the forecast period. Additional rainfall of 1-3” is projected across the Upper Mississippi Valley and southern Ohio Valley over the next 7 days which will likely sustain higher Cairo stages throughout the remainder of Nov.
Based on the current forecast it is anticipated that LRD will terminate Ohio River low flow operations on 11/7 and return to normal operations.
Currently, there have been no state requests to LRD for PL-84-99 drought assistance (emergency activities in support of State and Local governments prior to, during, and after a flood event).
For more updates, follow LRD's Facebook page.