The new mayor-elect of Marion recently provided an update about the ongoing water issue in the city, including the short-term plan.
Currently, Mayor D’ana Browning said in a post on social media, that the city’s engineering firm is nearing completion of preliminary engineering and design to repair the levee at Lake George. She noted this is great news for everyone.
Browning also said the levee repair will be up to the breach point at 591 feet elevation. She indicates this is lower than the original height of the dam, but the Division of Water has indicated that a full restoration would require bringing the dam into compliance with current regulations which would require another two years of design and permit review before construction could start. She added that no work can be done to the dam without necessary state approvals.
Mayor Browning said there is a good possibility of state financial assistance for emergency repairs. At this time, she said they believe the design, permit approval, and construction to the 591 feet elevation can be completed by this summer as an interim measure. She iterated that Marion has to increase its raw water supply as soon as possible and this approach achieves that more quickly than the full restoration approach.
Although, Browning noted the total storage capacity is less, they believe the amount will meet Marion’s restricted needs when combined with water the city is able to purchase from Crittenden-Livingston Water District.
In August, Crittenden County Judge-Executive Perry Newcom at a Pennyrile Area Development District meeting said things were “definitely getting better” in Marion. His words were in response to a critical water shortage that came about in the City of Marion in June due to a break in the Lake George levee along with a significant water supply shortage at City Lake because of drought conditions.
At that time, an executive order was enacted limiting water usage to necessary activities of daily living such as personal hygiene, washing laundry, cooking, etc., and to avoid unnecessary water usage such as watering lawns, washing vehicles, and filling swimming pools. Local partners of the city along with the National Guard also began distributing water to city residents at the Old National Guard Armory.
On June 17, 2022, Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency for the City of Marion in order to provide any state resources needed to help with the water crisis.
