Corps of Engineers to begin annual drawdown of Ashtabula and Homme lakes

ST. PAUL, Minn. –The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, plans to drawdown or lower levels of two North Dakota reservoirs, Lake Ashtabula behind Baldhill Dam, near Valley City, and Homme Lake behind Homme Reservoir, near Park River, starting in November.

Both drawdowns normally occur annually in the fall and winter to allow room for spring runoff. Drought conditions have improved significantly since mid-August with above average fall precipitation, which will allow these drawdowns to proceed as normal.

The annual drawdown at Lake Ashtabula is typically scheduled to occur from October through February; however, because of drought conditions this year, it was delayed one month. It will be lowered approximately 3.5 feet from its current level. A discharge of roughly 30 to 150 cubic feet per second, or cfs, is expected during the drawdown.

Homme Lake will be lowered approximately 3 feet from its current level throughout the month of November with a discharge of approximately 20 cfs.

The Corps will closely monitor snowpack throughout the winter and make adjustments as necessary.

Current and historical lake levels and releases can be accessed www.mvp-wc.usace.army.mil or https://water.usace.army.mil. All Corps reservoirs are operated in accordance with detailed water control manuals to ensure the system performs as designed.

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