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Kentucky Emergency Management
OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO MONITOR HERRINGTON LAKE LEVELS
FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 15, 2011) - As more rain is predicted for the
Commonwealth, Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), National Weather Service
(NWS) Louisville Office, Dix Dam officials and local emergency management
officials held a conference call Thursday, April 14, to discuss the water
level in Herrington Lake.
Recent heavy rains have caused a 14-foot rise in Herrington Lake, which
is fed by the Dix River. Dix Dam manager, Jeff Fraley, stated on the call,
"The lake level is not a concern at this time, as the lake has approximately
four to five feet of storage capacity remaining before a managed, controlled
release would become necessary."
Mike Callahan, of The National Weather Service, stated, "The downstream
portion of Dix River and Kentucky River should not be impacted by the
additional rain predicted for today through Saturday morning as river levels
have been falling rapidly and will continue over the weekend."
Callahan did point out that additional weather predication models indicate a
series of storms that could impact Kentucky next week on Monday, Wednesday
and again Friday. These systems are capable of producing additional heavy
rain and should be monitored. He emphasized, however, it is too far out to
predict their exact location, movement and impact.
Depending upon the amount of rain that may fall upon the Bluegrass Region
next week, Dix Dam officials may eventually need to open flood gates to
maintain safe lake levels. Dam officials stated if lake levels approach 753
feet, a controlled release would be necessary .
Residents that live or work along river ways should continue to monitor river
levels and NOAA weather alert radios for localized flooding notifications.
Please visit http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lmk to monitor
river and lake levels throughout Kentucky and those interested can sign up
for United States Geological Society's Water Alerts. Water Alert is an
application that allows you to receive updates at any of the sites where USGS
collects real-time water information. Daily or hourly updates are sent via
e-mail or text messages when the current conditions meet or surpass a
threshold of concern that you choose. The site to sign up for USGS Water
Alert is http://water.usgs.gov/wateralert.
Should you ever encounter water over a roadway, do not attempt to drive
through it - STOP and TURN AROUND - DON'T DROWN!
Weather safety tips and statewide weather alerts, by county, can be found on
KYEM's website at www.kyem.ky.gov.
Weather updates and river levels can be found at www.weather.gov/louisville
<http://www.weather.gov> .
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