Lake Hudson Continues To Rise

In Salina, one Delaware County family fears the worst. The Lake Hudson dike is one of their neighbors and the water behind the dike continues to rise. Crews are monitoring the situation, but that's

Thursday, July 5th 2007, 8:21 pm

By: News On 6

In Salina, one Delaware County family fears the worst. The Lake Hudson dike is one of their neighbors and the water behind the dike continues to rise. Crews are monitoring the situation, but that's done little curb the family's fears. Water continues to seep into the family's backyard and News On 6 anchor Latoya Silmon reports they say that's a problem, but the Grand River Dam Authority says itâ€™s on the job.

GRDA is there to monitor the dike 24 hours a day.

â€œRight now we just continue to monitor these relief wells where the pressure is relieving itself off the stress against the dike,â€ said GRDA corporate communications director Justin Alberty.

And that has one family stressing, because the Lake Hudson Dike is just behind their house.

â€œThe dikes started leaking, small leak, and they put a tarp over there, and they started bringing sand bags and putting sand in, and every since then it's been rising,â€ said Jeanie Pritchett.

Pritchett says it's seeping into her son's backyard. She says half of it is soaked, and some of water is pretty deep.

â€œWe understand their concern anytime the lake goes up, but what we're doing here is a precautionary measure,â€ Alberty said.

The Grand River Dam Authority says they are required to monitor the dike anytime it reaches 630 feet. Right now it's at 632, but it can hold up to 642 before there's any trouble. They say right now the dike and its relief wells are doing what they're supposed too.

â€œDon't be concerned. We're just monitoring the way we are required to monitor, and just trying to make sure we keep everybody safe,â€ said Alberty.

The GRDA says emergency plans are in place in case the situation worsens, but right now, things are looking good.

Watach the video: Rising Waters Creep Into Family's Backyard

For more flooding information, check out our STORM ZONE web page.