BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – After several days of heavy rainfall across the region, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District is closely monitoring rising water levels at three major reservoirs in southcentral Kentucky.
As of early Sunday morning, Barren River Lake, Green River Lake and Nolin River Lake were still climbing but still had capacity to hold more floodwater.
The reservoirs are designed to temporarily store excess runoff from major rain events, easing the risk of downstream flooding in communities throughout the Green River watershed, the Army Corps said.
Current Lake Levels and Forecasts:
- Barren River Lake, near Glasgow, is currently at 580.2 feet above mean sea level and using 69% of its flood storage capacity as of Saturday. Forecasts suggest it could rise to 584–586 feet—potentially setting a new record. The current highest pool of record is 583 feet, set in March 1989.
- Green River Lake, near Campbellsville, is at 698.2 feet MSL and using 53% of its flood storage. It is expected to climb to between 702 and 705 feet. If it surpasses 705.2 feet, it would break the standing record set in January 1979.
- Nolin River Lake, located near Mammoth Cave National Park, is at 541.1 feet MSL and using 50% of its flood storage. It may reach as high as 555 feet, still below the spillway crest of 560 feet.
Despite the rising water, USACE reports that all dams are operating safely and as designed. There are currently no concerns about structural integrity, and no spillway flows are anticipated at this time.
Water releases from the reservoirs are being kept to a minimum, in line with each lake’s approved water control manual. Larger releases will only begin once downstream river levels begin to recede.
USACE officials urge residents to remain alert, as conditions can shift quickly with further rainfall. Preparedness resources are available at www.ready.gov/floods, and up-to-date lake levels can be monitored here.
For continued updates, visit the USACE Louisville District Facebook page or their official website.
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