The water level on the Cumberland River reached alarmingly low levels Tuesday, creating a problem for the Crittenden-Livingston Water District. The Cumberland, from where the water plant at Pincknevyille draws its raw water, was a foot below the intake lines early Tuesday morning, according to Donnie Beavers, district superintendent.
Beavers said it appears that an increased drawdown on the Ohio River at Dam 52 near Brookport, Ill., caused the problem.
"The Cumberland River was about six feet below summer pool," Beavers said. "It was at 296 feet above sea level at Pinckneyville."
The water district issued a conserve water order Tuesday, which was broadcast on Paducah's television station. The water level problem and conserve order were expected to be lifted Tuesday night about 6 p.m., after the Corps of Engineers releases enough water from Lake Barkley to solve the problem.
"There was shoreline on the Cumberland River exposed that hadn't been exposed in 40 years," Beavers said. "People around Dycusburg told me they had never seen it that low."
Beavers said it appears that an increased drawdown on the Ohio River at Dam 52 near Brookport, Ill., caused the problem.
"The Cumberland River was about six feet below summer pool," Beavers said. "It was at 296 feet above sea level at Pinckneyville."
The water district issued a conserve water order Tuesday, which was broadcast on Paducah's television station. The water level problem and conserve order were expected to be lifted Tuesday night about 6 p.m., after the Corps of Engineers releases enough water from Lake Barkley to solve the problem.
"There was shoreline on the Cumberland River exposed that hadn't been exposed in 40 years," Beavers said. "People around Dycusburg told me they had never seen it that low."
