The Great Miami River in Dayton and Hamilton is up about 5 to 10 feet, respectively, since earlier this week. Last night the Miami Valley received between 0.7 and 2.3 inches of precipitation, with a few locations receiving more than 3 inches. MCD’s flood protection system of dams and levees is working as designed, preventing floodwaters from affecting downtowns along the river from Piqua to Hamilton. Four of MCD dams – Germantown, Englewood, Lockington, and Huffman – are temporarily storing floodwaters. Storage begins when the water levels rise to near the top of the conduits (concrete openings) at the dams. Storage at MCD’s dams is expected to crest today, except Englewood, which is expected to crest tomorrow. MCD staff continues to monitor river levels and take action as necessary. Staff closed storm sewer floodgates in West Carrollton, Miamisburg, Franklin, Middletown, and Hamilton overnight. Cities have storm sewer pipes running through MCD levees that drain city streets to the river. Floodgates built at the end of storm sewers remain open except when they are closed to prevent a rising Great Miami River from backing up into the storm sewer and into cities. COVID 19 precautions MCD employees who operate, maintain and inspect the dams and levees are essential workers. They have continued to work throughout the COVID-19 emergency, but MCD has established new procedures for their safety:
