(Middle Tennessee) If you live on or near one of the area lakes, be aware that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is monitoring current and forecasted Cumberland River Basin conditions and making operational water management adjustments as necessary.
Due to ongoing heavy rain, there is a flash flood warning this evening across portions of northern middle Tennessee. Additionally, due to the forecasted rainfall overnight, there is a flood watch for much of Tennessee and all of Kentucky lasting through Thursday morning.
“Our flood storage projects are in a good position and performing as designed going into this weather event,” said Lt. Col. Robert Green, USACE Nashville District commander. “The district’s first priority is to safeguard life and property during any weather events. We will continue to monitor the situation and make operational adjustments as necessary.”
Various USACE Nashville District projects become particularly important during times of heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service provides USACE with radar rainfall estimates and forecasts of inflows to our reservoirs. USACE in turn provides real-time information and forecasts for the operations of projects and corresponding discharges which are incorporated into official river flood forecasts provided to the public.
“While the mainstem of the Cumberland River is not currently expected to reach flood stage, river forecasts do predict action stages being reached at some locations due to the forecasted rain,” said Clint Neel, acting chief, USACE Nashville District water management section.
- For the Cumberland River at Nashville, a peak stage of 34.7 feet is predicted Thursday evening (Action stage = 30.0 feet; Flood stage = 40.0 feet).
- For the Cumberland River at Clarksville, a peak stage of 42.8 feet is predicted midday Friday (Action stage = 40.0 feet; Flood stage = 46.0 feet).
- For the Cumberland River at Dover, a peak stage of 65.2 feet is predicted Friday afternoon (Action stage = 62.0 feet; Flood stage = 66.0 feet).
Weather can be unpredictable, and USACE urges everyone to exercise caution and prepare for extreme weather events. Many people do not realize two feet of water on a highway or bridge can float most vehicles. If the water is moving rapidly, the car, truck or SUV can be swept off the bridge and into a body of water. Water can erode the roadbed, creating unsafe driving conditions. Underpasses can fill with water, while the adjacent roadway remains clear. Many flash floods occur at night when flooded roads are difficult to see. Information for preparing for floods can be found at Floods | Ready.gov.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District manages the Cumberland River and its tributaries, balancing the demands for water releases to flood risk management, commercial navigation, production of hydropower, recreation, fish and wildlife, water supply and water quality.
The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at https://www.lrd.usace.army.
