Beech Tree News Network

(Hartford, KY)- Effective October 1, the Rochester Dam Regional Water Commission (RDRWC) will commence a twenty-five year management lease with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to preserve Green River Lock and Dam No. 3, known as Rochester Dam.  This lease will enable RDRWC to protect and preserve the pool level that is a vital water supply for the region.   The pool of Green River Lock and Dam No. 3 provides the only water source for healthy, safe drinking water to nearly 50,000 residents in Ohio, Butler, and Muhlenberg Counties.

"We consider this a landmark day that will impact our ultimate goal to secure funding to stabilize the dam constructed in the 1830s. The stability of this dam is crucial for our water supply along with supporting thousands of jobs in the region. With this lease, we can focus on securing the necessary funding to repair and stabilize the lock and dam that has served our region for nearly two centuries," explained John Dix, Secretary for RDRWC and General Manager of Butler County Water System, Inc.

 The long-term objective of the Rochester Dam Regional Water Commission is to repair the Rochester Dam and to preserve the pool of water that serves Ohio County Water District, Butler County Water System, Inc., Morgantown Utilities Commission, and Perdue Foods, LLC.  The cost to repair the dam and secure the lock is estimated be over $3 M; all avenues for funding are being explored. 

“Thanks to the support and leadership from our state and local elected officials, we have forged new partnerships necessary to gain access to the dam.  We appreciate the continued commitment of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Rand Paul, Representatives Brett Guthrie and Ed Whitfield along with our state representatives for their support to protect our vital water source for the region,” stated Weymouth Martin, Chairman of the RDRWC.  “This lease is the result of over 15 years of work by the coalition of utilities, County Judge/Executives, legislators, and the USACE to protect this valuable structure.”

The Rochester Dam Regional Water Commission was formed in 2013 through a collaboration of county and utility leaders serving Ohio, Butler, and Muhlenberg Counties. The mission of the RDRWC is to provide an adequate and dependable supply of water for the region which derives its water supply from Pool 3 of the Green River.