By Seth Helton
2/24/11 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is operating dams along the Cumberland River and its tributaries to minimize flooding and reduce lake levels up by heavy rainfall. The Corps reports the Barkley Dam in Grand Rivers is discharging water at a rate of 10,000 cubic feet per second to counteract incoming rain. The water level of the Cumberland River near Clarksville is reported at 57 feet. The National Weather Service reports that the level is expected to reach 67.5 feet by Saturday evening. The flood stage for the river is 77 feet. Corps Emergency Management, Water Management and Crisis Action teams are on standby and prepared to respond immediately.