Some new news

The Times Reporter is reporting that the water should crest today. That's good news, but we still have the rest of the week to deal with.

Thaw, rain put strain on rivers - Forecast offers little relief
By KATIE ALBERTI katie.alberti@timesreporter.com

Don’t expect water levels to go down anytime soon.

Nick Krupa, operations manager for the Muskingum Area of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said that’s what residents should be prepared for considering Mother Nature will be bringing more rain to the area later this week.

Although he expected the lake behind Dover Dam to crest Sunday, it did not. However, he does expect cresting today at about noon.

“It’s supposed to level off tomorrow, but it looks like a storm will be there Wednesday, Thursday and Friday bringing a total of 2.5 inches (of rain),” Krupa said Sunday night.

“If we get that, we won’t have any opportunity for the lake to lower. It should just level off a little tomorrow and start back up,” he added.

The National Weather Service at Pittsburgh reports a chance of rain Tuesday through Thursday.

The rising water already has closed several roads throughout the county, the latest being Rt. 212 between Zoar and Rt. 800, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. Officials said they anticipate the road to remain closed for several days because of rain in the forecast.

The rising water levels in the Zoar-Bolivar area already have officials concerned, although Krupa said water at the Bolivar Dam won’t get as high as it did in 2005 when the entire area was flooded.

Those who are concerned about water levels can get up-to-date information by visiting the Muskingum Basin’s Web site at www.lrh-wc.usace.army.mil/wc/musns.htm, Krupa said. By clicking on a project, viewers can see the levels. Any marked in red signify flooding