Souris (Mouse) River Basin feasibility study receives federal funding

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its 2016 Work Plan today, which includes $200,000 in funding a Souris (Mouse) River Feasibility Study.

The purpose of the feasibility study is to assess the interconnected system of reservoirs, levees and channels within this basin and recommend modifications to existing infrastructure and potential new measures to reduce the risk of flooding. To complete the study, the Corps will work in partnership with the Souris River Joint Water Resources Board.

A Corps feasibility study is the first step toward a federal flood risk reduction project. Its purpose is to provide Congress with the information it needs to authorize a project for implementation. The Study will be focused on the development of alternatives to address flooding within the Souris river basin.  

“Initiating a feasibility study is an important event,” said Col. Dan Koprowski, St. Paul District commander. “It provides us the opportunity to determine if there is a federal interest in constructing additional long-term flood damage reduction features in the basin.”  

The work plan listing the amounts provided to various programs, projects and activities for each of the four appropriations accounts can be found at http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Budget.aspx.

The nearly 600 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, employees working at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states serve the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. Through the Corps’ Fiscal Year 2015 $100 million budget, nearly 1,600 non-Corps jobs were added to the regional economy as well as $155 million to the national economy. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.

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