“When it starts to get up to the trees, that’s when i start worry, ” said Mike Hawkins, Miller with Butte Creek Mill.
Staff at Butte Creek Mill say they’re keeping a close eye on Little Butte Creek.
“When the water gets to a certain point, it will affect our ability to run,” explained Hawkins.
The river neared flood stage earlier today after heavy rains pounded parts of the Rogue Valley.
Staff at the Butte Creek Mill say the rising waters could bring production of their flour and grain products to a halt.
“So when the water level in the creek gets up above the level of the turbine, then it starts affecting how much water is on top of the turbine which means we will have less power,” said Hawkins.
Staff and nearby residents admit they haven’t seen the river exceed flood stage since 1964.
“It takes about five consecutive days of this weather, day and night, to get the water up to the crest on there,” said Randy Shell, who owns a pet supply store just down the road from Butte Creek Mill.
But should things go from bad to worse, staff at Butte Creek Mill have a contingency plan in place.
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