Is flooding an issue?

There’s been a lot of concern that the designation of the site as a flood plain will dramatically raise construction costs for the new OMHS hospital. However this is not accurate. Even with the potential costs to resolve the flood plain issue, studies have shown that the Pleasant Valley site is still more economical than the alternate properties.

The current elevation of the property is 404 feet above sea level. This elevation is 10 feet higher than the 393.37 foot crest of the Ohio River during the Great Flood of 1937*.

Nevertheless, our architects plan to use dirt to raise the building’s elevation even more, a common step in construction in Daviess County. The required elevation for the hospital is above the 500-year flood level – a level of flooding that has a 0.2% chance of occurring any year. Engineers anticipate that all the necessary dirt could come from the site itself.

OMHS is committed to the future health of our community and believes the Pleasant Valley site is the best option for the new facility.

*Source: Owensboro/Daviess County Comprehensive Plan Section 740