The Corps of Engineers will hold a public meeting to discuss the impacts of the interim operating plan for the Tom Jenkins Dam Jan. 31, 2013 at 5 p.m. in the Coolville Public Library, 26401 Main St., Coolville, Ohio.
Due to a recently constructed mining tunnel beneath the upper end of the lake, the Corps has determined that studies to evaluate possible safety issues with the project must be completed. Until the studies are completed, the dam’s interim operating plan calls for the project to no longer be managed for Ohio River flood risk reduction.
Managing Tom Jenkins Dam for flood risk reduction on the Hocking River will continue and local flood risk reduction will not be impacted. This change will cause an increase of one half of one percent of the total flow, which equates to 0.1 feet increase at flood stage in the Ohio River at Belleville Locks and Dam.
Ohio River flood risk reduction calls for Tom Jenkins Dam and others to store flood waters on occasions when the Ohio River is forecasted to exceed 45 feet at Bellville Locks and Dam. The Ohio River has exceeded 45 feet at Bellville Locks and Dam only one time since Tom Jenkins Dam was constructed.
Tom Jenkins Dam is a multipurpose water resource project.Its purpose is divided into two parts – local flood risk reduction and Ohio River flood risk reduction.Local flood risk reduction is for those communities on the Hocking River.
For more information, call the Huntington District Public Affairs Office at 304-399-5353.