The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is prepared to open dams along the Cumberland River and its tributaries to try to minimize flooding and reduce lake levels in areas north of Nashville.

“Some of these lakes are reaching capacity, and we have a plan to release water from these projects in order to lower those lakes to safe elevations,” said Bob Sneed, water manager for the Nashville District.

“We recognize the impact of releases to communities along the already swollen creeks and rivers, and we will try to balance risks to these communities with risks to those projects whose lakes are reaching capacity,” he said.

“Our water managers and dam safety specialists are working around the clock to ensure that our projects are safe and that we minimize flooding wherever possible,”Lt. Col. Anthony Mitchell, commander of the Nashville district said.

Water Release Plans:

Wolf Creek Dam on the Cumberland River, Jamestown, Ky.

• All hydropower units at Wolf Creek Dam have been shut off to minimize downstream flows and to provide flood protection for Celina and Carthage.

• As local runoff subsides the hydropower units will be brought on-line to start the process of pulling the lake level back down toward the 680 target elevation. That process is likely to begin in the next 12-24 hours.

Dale Hollow Dam on the Obey River, Celina, Tenn.

• All hydropower units have been shut off to minimize flows into Cordell Hull Lake and ultimately provide flood protection for Celina and Carthage

• As local runoff subsides the hydropower units will be opened to start the process of pulling the lake level back down. There is a good chance that spillway gates will need to be opened to pull the lake level down in a timely manner.

Cordell Hull Dam on the Cumberland River, Carthage, Tenn.

• The Cordell Hull Lake area received very large amounts of rainfall late in the day on Sunday resulting in a large inflow to the lake. In order to keep the water from going over the lock gate, a series of increases to spillway releases were implemented overnight. The Cordell Hull lake level crested at elevation 508.33.

• The process is currently underway to make flow reductions at Cordell Hull. This process is expected to continue throughout the day. The Cordell Hull reductions will result in smaller inflows to Old Hickory and ultimately to lower river stages at Carthage and points downstream, including Nashville.

• Over the next several days the lake level will be brought back down to the summer pool level of 504.0