Multiple Vehicle Surfacing From Lock 5 Location Due to Low Water Levels

Green River near the Lock no. 5 location.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
What was once a thriving place with deep waters for boating and fishing now looks more like a post-apocalyptic scene near the Lock Number 5 Dam in Roundhill, as low water levels are causing abandoned vehicles and debris to surface.

The low water is mainly caused by the continued removal of the dam at Lock 5, which is still underway.

Abandoned vehicles are now surfacing near Lock and Dam number 5 in Roundhill.

An abandoned boat trailer rests just below the surface.

Excavators sit by the Lock and Dam no. 5 site.

Abandoned vehicles are now surfacing near Lock and Dam number 5 in Roundhill.

Abandoned vehicles are now surfacing near Lock and Dam number 5 in Roundhill.

One man, Gary Key, who lives nearby, was looking out at the water, shaking his head.

"We used to come down here and catch all kinds of fish, but it's a shame now," he said. "I came down here last week and you couldn't see this one car here then," as he pointed to a vehicle. "It's sad."

Removal of the dam was made possible and specifically called for in the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act or “WIIN,” championed by Senator McConnell in 2016. The $4.6 million dam removal is funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Fish Passage Program.

In a 2021 press release from the U.S. Corps of Engineers, it stated "Removal of the dam will restore free-flowing conditions to 73 miles of the Green River."

The dam removal at no. 5 and Lock and Dam no. 6 in Brownsville has been a heavy point of contention with locals. What used to be a deep river with boat and fishing access is now barely more than a creek in some places. Boat access is completely gone for this entire stretch of river.

The Edmonson County Water District has an emergency pump on standby in the event water levels become too low at their Brownsville treatment plant, however, even with very dry conditions, it has not yet been needed and water officials say the water supply is still enough for their customers.