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 USFWS owns the 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 USFWS, 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
Toe drain and concrete repairs at Baldhill Dam are scheduled for completion in summer 2026. Remaining repairs for the ogee crest are currently on hold due to the significant increase in cost estimates and needed repairs/replacement of the Baldhill Dam gantry crane: funding has been requested in 2027. Repair needs for the fish barrier at Souris Dam 357 have been assessed, and funding has been requested for fiscal year 2027. Funding for the Homme Dam gate replacement plans and specifications has been requested in the fiscal year 2026 workplan and the fiscal year 2028 budget request.
Recreation areas around Lake Ashtabula sustained significant storm damage in June 2025. Cleanup efforts have been underway through winter 2026, with cost estimates exceeding $500,000. Recreation areas at Lake Ashtabula will be fully open for visitor access in 2026. Staff are partnering with the Student Conservation Association to recruit a volunteer for the 2026 recreation season to assist with implementing program missions.
Authority
The Lake Ashtabula work is authorized by Public Law (PL) 78-534; Homme Lake, by PL 78-534; and Souris River, by PLs 97-88 and 99-662.
Funding
Fiscal year 2025
Lake Ashtabula $2,914,500
Homme Lake $779,100
Souris River $429,600
Fiscal year 2026 allocation
Lake Ashtabula $1,974,000
Homme Lake $464,300
Souris River $542,500
Fiscal year 2027 full budget request
Lake Ashtabula $7,988,000
Homme Lake $3,815,000
Souris River $3,568,000