CINCINNATI - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes and Ohio River Division is prepared to implement flood-control operations for the Ohio and Mississippi rivers in anticipation of forecasted heavy rain.
“The Corps is prepared to declare flood operations for the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, if and when, the water levels at Cairo reaches 35 feet with a predicted stage of 40 feet or more,” said Kyle McCune, chief Water Management Division.
Heavy rainfall, resulting from a combination of a slow moving cold front and much higher than normal initial stream flows in the Ohio River basin, has resulted in elevated stages along the lower Ohio River. As of 10 a.m., Central Standard Time, the stage at Cairo, IL is 34.82 feet and rising.
The Corps is currently coordinating releases with Nashville District for Barkley Lake, Mississippi Valley Division for the Mississippi River, the Tennessee Valley Authority for Kentucky Lake and the National Weather Service's River Forecast Centers.
“Cairo stages are not currently forecast to meet the criteria,” said McCune. “Should conditions change and the criteria is met, the Corps will initiate flood operations.”
Release no. 18-056