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April 26, 2007
Wolf Creek Dam threat: What you can do
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Wolf Creek Dam failureinundation map for part of Charlotte Park. Red, blue andgreen flood areas shown on the map are estimates forevacuation planning and execution. More maps here.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers this week issued a report on the threat of flooding in communities along the Cumberland River if the upstream Wolf Creek Dam in Kentucky should fail. The report said the dam is at risk of failure, resulting in an uncontrolled release of water, if certain repairs are not made.The Corps has begun an estimated $309 million rehabilitation project and has lowered Lake Cumberland's water level to reduce pressure on the structure.The recently released report is available on the Corps' dam rehabilitation site. Among the various sources of information on the site, a button on the left links to "Media Accounts" of the situation. Also available within the site are "inundation maps," the source for the map image in this post. The maps show how flooding could affect areas along the river, including parts of Charlotte Park, Downtown Nashville and other local communities.The Corps recently held public meetings in Hartsville, Tenn., and in Mt. Juliet for residents and media to ask questions and learn more about the rehabilitation project. According to the Corps' local public affairs office, additional meetings have not yet been planned, but this Corps site will be updated as public meetings are scheduled.According to a story on WKRN.com, the Corps suggests taking the following actions, in the interest of "better safe than sorry."- Buy a weather radio.- Develop an evacuation plan and practice it.- Consider purchasing flood insurance. For guidance, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Flood Smart site.My thoughts: It's far better to be informed and prepared than worried and afraid, and ideally this recent news will trigger community activism to keep public safety top of mind and a priority for the Corps, media, and local, state and federal governments. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the tragedy of authorities' missteps before, during and after the disaster, recent history tells us that we, as citizens, must educate ourselves and speak up now to demand protection. According to the Tennessean, the Corps would not release the report last fall when the news source first requested it -- officials said it was a "draft" version at the time. Let there be no future delayed communication or any opacity about the dangers of the dam. The wealth of information on the Corps site is an encouraging indication that openness and timely information are valued by officials, but we must continue to be vigilant and vocal.To read another Nashvillian's thoughts on the situation, check out Enclave.
Posted by Paige Clancy
at 11:22 AM
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April 26, 2007
Wolf Creek Dam threat: What you can do
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Wolf Creek Dam failureinundation map for part of Charlotte Park. Red, blue andgreen flood areas shown on the map are estimates forevacuation planning and execution. More maps here.The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers this week issued a report on the threat of flooding in communities along the Cumberland River if the upstream Wolf Creek Dam in Kentucky should fail. The report said the dam is at risk of failure, resulting in an uncontrolled release of water, if certain repairs are not made.The Corps has begun an estimated $309 million rehabilitation project and has lowered Lake Cumberland's water level to reduce pressure on the structure.The recently released report is available on the Corps' dam rehabilitation site. Among the various sources of information on the site, a button on the left links to "Media Accounts" of the situation. Also available within the site are "inundation maps," the source for the map image in this post. The maps show how flooding could affect areas along the river, including parts of Charlotte Park, Downtown Nashville and other local communities.The Corps recently held public meetings in Hartsville, Tenn., and in Mt. Juliet for residents and media to ask questions and learn more about the rehabilitation project. According to the Corps' local public affairs office, additional meetings have not yet been planned, but this Corps site will be updated as public meetings are scheduled.According to a story on WKRN.com, the Corps suggests taking the following actions, in the interest of "better safe than sorry."- Buy a weather radio.- Develop an evacuation plan and practice it.- Consider purchasing flood insurance. For guidance, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Flood Smart site.My thoughts: It's far better to be informed and prepared than worried and afraid, and ideally this recent news will trigger community activism to keep public safety top of mind and a priority for the Corps, media, and local, state and federal governments. After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the tragedy of authorities' missteps before, during and after the disaster, recent history tells us that we, as citizens, must educate ourselves and speak up now to demand protection. According to the Tennessean, the Corps would not release the report last fall when the news source first requested it -- officials said it was a "draft" version at the time. Let there be no future delayed communication or any opacity about the dangers of the dam. The wealth of information on the Corps site is an encouraging indication that openness and timely information are valued by officials, but we must continue to be vigilant and vocal.To read another Nashvillian's thoughts on the situation, check out Enclave.
Posted by Paige Clancy
at 11:22 AM
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