UNDERSTANDING THE RIVER LEVEL

Basic Things To Understand

Please know that the Lawrenceburg Conservancy District bases all action on the reading of the Tanners Creek gauge, NOT the Ohio River.

For reference, during the high water event in February 2018, the Tanners Creek crested at 56.89'. Normal pool is considered 32'.

The Lawrenceburg levee is a United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) levee system, designed for over 500-year flood protection. The top of the Lawrenceburg levee is at 504', which converts to a Tanners Creek gauge river elevation of 79.7'. 

The Greendale levee is a FEMA levee system, designed for 100-year flood protection. The top of the Greendale levee is at 493', which converts to a Tanners Creek gauge river elevation of 68.7'.

Below is a brief overview of what happens when the Tanners Creek water level reaches certain heights. 

Early Action

41.5' - LCD crew will begin full-time monitoring of Pump Station 2A at MGPI

59.0' - Our Emergency Action Plan will kick in and the LCD will begin conversations with the following organizations and individuals to ensure everyone is prepared and ready to assist when needed. 

  • City of Lawrenceburg
  • Lawrenceburg Municipal Utilities
  • City of Greendale
  • Police, Fire, and EMS
  • Dearborn County Emergency Management 
  • Volunteers

Shutting of Flood Gates

It is important to understand that the action of shutting flood gates is very dependent on the forecast and river predictions. Also, while certain community organizations and volunteers will be needed to assist in this process, the LCD will supervise and manage ALL action during this time. Last, the below heights are based on SILL elevation, which is the level at which the flood water meets the bottom of the flood gate. 

61.3' - Walnut St. 

  • Double-swinging gate
  • LMU will assist with closing
  • Will take approximately 3 hours

61.5' - Greendale US 50/I-275

  • Gate will need to be built
  • City of Greendale and local contractors will assist with building the gate
  • Will take approximately 6-8 hours and 15 people

63.2' - Railroad West

  • Single-swinging gate
  • LMU will assist with closing
  • Will take approximately 2-3 hours

63.6' - Railroad East

  • Single-swinging gate
  • LMU will assist with closing
  • Will take approximately 2-3 hours

64.2' - City Garage

  • Double-swinging gate
  • LMU will assist with closing
  • Will take approximately 4 hours

65.5' - US 50 Tanners Creek

  • Rolling-closer
  • LCD with Lawrenceburg Civil City will be shutting this gate
  • Will take approximately 3-4 hours

66.0' - Hollywood 

  • Single-swinging gate
  • LMU will assist with closing
  • Will take approximately 2-3 hours

70.7' - MGPI 

  • Closed permanently

76.7' - Old Schenley 

  • Will need to be sandbagged by city of Greendale