Lock and Dam No. 5 Removal Set to Resume, Water District Emergency Intake Measures in Place if Necessary

Diesel pump ready to go in the event water levels are too low for the Edmonson County Water District intake level.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Louisville District announced yesterday, with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and support from The Nature Conservancy, will resume work to complete removal of Green River Lock and Dam No. 5 in Roundhill this month. Demolition efforts are scheduled to resume as early as the second week of July depending on appropriate river levels and weather conditions, according to the announcement.
 
"Dam removal was temporarily suspended in July 2022 due to concerns from the Edmonson County Water District (ECWD) regarding water levels," the USACE said in a written statement. "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. 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. The partners, with assistance from the U.S. Geological Survey, also relocated river gauges to ensure accurate and constant monitoring of river levels."
 

Pictured is the diesel pump setup at the Edmonson County Water District intake location on Green River. The orange hose on the pump is in the river and will be able to pump from there to the intake via the black hose. Both the pump and the hose can be relocated to better suit the need if necessary, said Kevin Shaw, General Manager of Edmonson County Water.

Louisville District Commander Col. L. Reyn Mann said the effort has been collective to create interim and long term solutions for the project.

“We are ecstatic to have reached this pivotal point, which allows us to collectively move forward with renewed momentum and purpose—for the common goal of a safer, healthier and more accessible river. We applaud the Edmonson County Water District for not only their daily efforts to supply quality water to the local community but also for their commitment and vision to find a solution that will serve the people of Edmonson County for years to come," Mann said.

Kevin Shaw, General Manager for the Edmonson County Water District, told the Edmonson Voice today that he feels comfortable with the removal project at this point.

"We are in communication with the Corps at least once a week, including the Louisville office and the folks in D.C.," Shaw said. "They've moved the gauge along the river to better monitor the water levels and they're in tune with it."
 
The dam removal will be conducted by personnel contracted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is expected to take approximately 4-6 weeks, dependent on optimal weather conditions and water levels, the Corps stated.
 
"Lock and Dam 5 is nearly 100 years old and has exceeded its service life, posing a great safety risk for people," according to the USACE. "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."
 

Emergency hose connected to a large diesel pump that runs to the ECWD intake system in case of emergency.

“We are grateful for Edmonson County Water District working with us and other stakeholders to move this work forward,” David Phemister, state director for The Nature Conservancy in Kentucky, said he was grateful for the ECWD working with them and others to move forward.

“A partially removed dam serves no one’s interests," Phemister said. "Removing this dam fully is the right thing to do for a safer, healthier, and more accessible river, and allows ECWD to commence planning and eventual construction of improved water supply infrastructure.”

Shaw said the Corps plans to remove a little at a time and carefully monitor the full situation to avoid something abrupt.

"They told me they'll try to start bringing in equipment around July 8th or 9th with work starting after that. In the event water levels get too low for our intake system, our diesel pump is set up and ready to go. We have the capabilities to move the hose on the pump around for a good place, which will then pump the water into our treatment plant."