Louisville, KY—MSD installed roadway floodwall closures at 10th and 27th streets on Tuesday, February 18. These are openings in the floodwall that normally cars and pedestrians can pass through. It takes around eight hours for crews to install and assemble each closure.
“The flood protection system is one part of the scope of what we do at MSD. A lot of times, it’s out of sight, out of mind. And so it’s great that people get to see this vital part of our function, and it’s vital to the safety and health of our community,” states MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott.
Floodwall closures keep the Ohio River at bay and from backing up into roadways and property.
• The 10th Street closure is 44 feet wide and almost 16 feet tall.
• The 27th Street closure is 31.5 feet wide and 23.5 feet tall.
These locations are the first roadway floodwall closures because they sit at the lowest elevations. No other roadway closures will be needed according to the revised river level projections.
Projections show the river will crest on February 21 at 28.4 feet on the upper gauge and 59.8 feet on the lower gauge. Both projected levels are in the “Minor Flood” mode as determined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Normal pool on the upper gauge is 12 feet. Low stage on the lower is 9 feet.
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.
