LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Louisville Water Company is marking the 80th anniversary of its battle with the Ohio River.
On January 27, 1937 the Ohio River crested at 57.1 feet, the high point of an 11 day battle between the river and Louisville Water crews who were fighting to keep clean water flowing to the city. The crew of 13 had to get creative when electricity was cut off so they rigged the boiler of a boat tied up beside the pump house to power a steam engine that kept the pumps running.
WHAS Radio also played a part in keeping the water flowing by locating a boat to deliver supplies and crew members to the pump house.
After the flood, Louisville water installed flood-proof steel doors and moved some of the pump motors to a higher level.