Purpose
The Lake Traverse Project provides flood control on the Bois de Sioux River and in the Red River Valley. While the effects on river stage to reduce flood crests are limited, the reservoir has a sizeable storage capacity. Additional authorized purposes of the Lake Traverse Project are to store water for conservation and to preserve fish and wildlife habitat. The project area, especially Lake Traverse, is popular for waterfowl hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, and other outdoor recreational activities.
The repairs and modernization project focuses on three sites in the Lake Traverse area. The White Rock Dam gate machinery, Reservation Dam air bladders, and a highway culvert at Browns Valley are nearing their end of life. The White Rock gate machinery is difficult to operate and will be modernized for personnel safety. The corresponding Water Control Manual (WCM) will also be revisited and updated, specifically targeted at improving fish and wildlife benefits on Mud Lake.
Location
Lake Traverse is on the Minnesota-South Dakota border.
Description
The White Rock Dam gate machinery has been in operation since the 1930s. Gate movements require turning the wheel (with a portable drill) located on the piers with no walkways or safe access. White Rock also has some concrete deterioration needing repairs. Air bladders at the Reservation Dam are at the end of their lifecycle and will be replaced. A culvert under Minnesota Highway 28 will be replaced to ensure interior drainage to the Little Minnesota River. Finally, the WCM for Lake Traverse, last revised in 1994, will be updated to account for changes in land use affecting hydrology in the area and habitat improvements.
Status
The White Rock Dam modernization project and Reservation Dam work is expected to be awarded in 2025 based on available funding. The Browns Valley Dike work will conduct a district quality control review in April 2025 and then be shelved until funding becomes available. The WCM update will be complete in 2028.
Authority
The Lake Traverse Flood Control Project was authorized by the Flood Control Act of June 22, 1936, as modified by the Flood Control Act of June 28, 1938.
Funding
The Lake Traverse Modernization Project is 100% federally funded. The following funds are estimated through fiscal year 2024. Additional funding is subject to fiscal year 2025 fund availability.
White Rock Dam modernization $3,475,000
Reservation Dam $450,000
Browns Valley Dike $250,000
Lake Traverse WCM update $850,000