CLARKSVILLE, IN (August 17, 2023) – The Jeffersonville/Clarksville Flood Control District has issued an alert to residents about an upcoming flood test in South Clarksville. Beginning in late August and running through early September, the district will purposely allow the Cane Run ponding area to flood in order to test a new pump. That pump was recently replaced, but failed during a flooding test early this year.
The area to be flooded, pictured above, is located in between the flood wall and the northwest corner of Colgate Park. Representatives of the Flood Control District tell us that no homes or businesses will be affected by the flooding, and that area wildlife seemed to enjoy the flooding during the last test. After the pump failed during that test, it was sent back to the manufacturer to be rebuilt. A District spokesperson says the newly rebuild pump needs to be tested with an actual flooded ponding area to insure it will work correctly in the event of an actual flood.
The ponding area is made up of 16 acres and takes about a month to fill during non-rain events. The flooding is expected to begin the last week of August and run through the second week of September. The new Cane Run Pump station has three 250 horsepower pumps which pump 16,000 gallons per minute. Although flood season is from January until June, district representatives says they are using this time to make sure they are prepared.
Anyone with questions about the pump tests make contact the Town of Clarksville at info@townofclarksville.com.