MSD has all 16 of its flood pumping stations in active service to protect Louisville from inland flooding. Multiple large pumps at each of the stations pull water from overflowing creeks and send it into the Ohio River to prevent flooding of the areas surrounding the creeks.
The flood pumping stations are an element of an overall flood protection system that also protects against the Ohio River overflowing into the city. The system also includes 26.1 miles of floodwall and earthen levee to block river overflows.
Along the floodwall, 79 floodwall closures at what are usually openings for pedestrian and vehicle traffic can be closed to keep river overflows from flooding the city. Inside storm drains and within creeks that pass through the levee and floodwall there are 150 floodgates that can also be closed to prevent the river from flowing inland.
The Ohio River in Louisville is projected to crest during the morning of April 9 at 35.6 feet on the upper gauge and 67.9 feet on the lower gauge. Both are considered “Moderate Flood” stage as determined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Normal pool on the upper gauge is 12 feet. The low stage on the lower gauge is 9 feet.
Five floodwall closures are in place at 2nd, 10th, and 27th streets, Bingham Way in downtown Louisville, and Port Road in Riverport.
MSD has been responsible for Louisville Metro’s Ohio River Flood Protection System since 1987. The system protects more than 200,000 people, 87,000 homes, and $24 billion in property throughout 110 square miles of Louisville Metro. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the system after the city’s two highest floods of record in 1937 and 1945.
