The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), with support from The Nature Conservancy, will resume work to complete removal of Green River Lock and Dam No. 5 this month.
Demolition efforts are scheduled to resume as early as the second week of July depending on appropriate river levels and weather conditions.
Dam removal was suspended in July 2022 due to concerns from the Edmonson County Water District (ECWD) regarding water levels.
“Since that time, there has been a collective effort from our partners, federal officials, and ECWD to advance this project while ensuring ECWD has interim alternatives in place to address potential water supply challenges as well as long term plans for new water supply infrastructure,” USACE said in a press release.
For example, a submersible pump was provided by The Nature Conservancy and tested by ECWD to ensure continuous water supply even in low-water conditions, USACE stated. The partners, with assistance from the U.S. Geological Survey, also relocated river gauges to ensure accurate and constant monitoring of river levels.
ECWD plans to implement a series of interim solutions and contingency plans to ensure water supply should very low water levels or drought conditions occur during or after full dam removal. Additionally, they are working on long-term plans for a new intake structure.
“Our team at ECWD is monitoring the progress of the project daily, through the cooperation of all agencies involved, and it is our full intention to minimize or eliminate any water interruptions due to this project,” said Kevin Shaw, General Manager of the Edmonson County Water District.
The dam removal will be conducted by personnel contracted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and is expected to take approximately four to six weeks, depending on weather conditions and water levels.
“Lock and Dam 5 is nearly 100-years-old and has exceeded its service life, posing a great safety risk for people,” USACE stated. “Removing the dam fully will protect public safety, increase recreation opportunities, and enhance aquatic habitat as it restores free-flowing conditions to 73 miles of the river.”
(Photo: Removal of Green River Lock and Dam No. 5, courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
