Kentucky Lake, Barkley Lake Water Levels Rising To Control Ohio River Flooding

Tennessee Valley Authority and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials are asking people to be mindful of higher water levels in Kentucky Lake and Barkley Lake through this weekend. The lakes’ two dams since Monday have cut back water flows to help control flooding along the Ohio River. TVA River Forecast Center Manager James Everett said water levels at the two lakes are already ten feet above normal. According to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Lake Barkley Facebook page , waters in Barkley Lake are expected to crest at 366 feet on Saturday. That’s around where water levels would be during the summer. Everett said by holding water back in the two lakes, severe flooding at places along the Ohio River like Cairo, Illinois, and Paducah won’t get worse. Everett said boats on the two lakes should be mindful of debris and flooding from rising water levels. That may induce some reservoir-type flooding of docks, marinas, campgrounds and private property,” Everett said. “Maybe even some low