Purpose
Homme Lake and Lake Ashtabula are multipurpose sites with flood risk management, recreation, and environmental stewardship business functions. The Souris River Project is used for flood control and mitigation activities and is operated in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
Location
Homme Lake is 2 miles west of Park River, North Dakota, on the South Branch of the Park River. Walsh County, North Dakota, leases land to operate a recreation area with overnight camping, a day-use area and a boat launch.
Lake Ashtabula (Baldhill Dam) is 12 miles northwest of Valley City, North Dakota, on the Sheyenne River. It has overnight camping, swimming, boat launching, picnic, and playground facilities. Approximately 2,500 acres are used for wildlife management.
The FWS owns Upper Souris and J. Clark Salyer Refuges. Lake Darling is 20 miles northwest of Minot, North Dakota. J. Clark Salyer Refuge is 65 miles northeast of Minot, North Dakota.
Description
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) staff perform operation and maintenance activities at all three sites. The Souris River sites are staffed by FWS, and USACE supports some cyclical and noncyclical maintenance costs. Lake Ashtabula staff also provide significant support to readiness (emergency) response activities in local river basins. Lake Ashtabula provides backup water supply for communities on the Sheyenne and Red Rivers. Since their construction, the reservoirs have prevented the following flood damages:
Homme Lake $2,534,000
Lake Ashtabula $555,051,000
Souris River $116,480,000
Status
Design components for repairs to the ogee crest at Baldhill Dam were prepared in fiscal year 2022, and planning efforts are currently underway, with construction anticipated in 2026. Repair needs for the fish barrier at Souris Dam 357 have been assessed, and funding has been requested for fiscal year 2027. Electrical service and campsite layout at the West Crossing Campground and sewer replacement at the Mel Rieman Recreation Area were completed with sustainability funding in 2024.
Authority
Lake Ashtabula by Public Law (PL) 78-534. Homme Lake by PL 78-534. Souris River by PL 97-88 and 99-662.
Funding
Fiscal year 2024
Lake Ashtabula $2,245,320
Homme Lake $326,700
Souris River $385,110
Fiscal year 2025 allocation
Lake Ashtabula $2,914,560
Homme Lake $326,700
Souris River $429,660
Fiscal year 2026 full budget request
Lake Ashtabula $7,014,000
Homme Lake $3,643,000
Souris River $3,426,000