The Ohio River crested last night, and its levels are currently trending downward, following a “minor” flood event in which MSD activated multiple assets of Louisville Metro’s flood protection system. All MSD flood pump stations are expected to stop pumping by late Monday afternoon and will be phased down during the weekend.
Louisville Metro’s Ohio River Flood Protection System has pumped out approximately 3.6 billion gallons
of stormwater during the current flood event, protecting more than 200,000 people, 87,000 homes and
$24 billion in property throughout 110 square miles of Louisville Metro. The river crested Thursday night at 28.31 feet on the upper gauge and 59.63 on the lower gauge. Both levels are in the “Minor Flood” mode as determined by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
MSD will remain on alert if weather patterns change, and the flood protection system will continue to be monitored 24 hours a day.
The flood protection system includes 26.1 miles of floodwall and earthen levee, 16 flood pumping stations, 150 floodgates (closures on storm drain pipes), and 80 floodwall roadway closures (openings in the floodwall that normally cars and pedestrians can pass through). During this flood event, 12 pump stations went into service, and nine actively pumped. Additionally, MSD crews inspected 104 floodgates and placed 39 into service.
Two floodwall roadway closures were also installed at the 10th and 27th streets near the Ohio River. Those closures will remain in place for the next few weeks as MSD continues to monitor river levels. Each closure takes about 8 hours to install.
When river levels return to normal, MSD’s assessment and cleanup process will begin. MSD Flood Protection staff will inspect the entire flood protection system and make repairs as needed.
More than 170 employees contribute to flood protection activities during weather events. MSD has been responsible for Louisville Metro’s Ohio River Flood Protection System since 1987. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the system after the city’s two highest floods of record in 1937 and 1945.
