Corps of Engineers observes precipitation in region, will begin Homme Lake fall drawdown

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, is now going to conduct a fall drawdown at Homme Lake, near Park River, N.D., after reviewing recent weather conditions in the region.

The Corps’ water management team said they will now conduct a 4-foot drawdown this fall. The Corps previously cited drought conditions as the reason for not conducting the drawdown. The change is due in part to measurable precipitation during a recent storm and unseasonably warm weather. The Corps also listened to public concerns against foregoing the drawdown.

The Corps will begin releasing water from Homme Lake Nov. 21. The Corps currently plans to release 30 cubic feet per second for the next seven days to reach the drawdown level. The Corps will continue monitoring and assessing the lake elevation and future precipitation events throughout the fall and winter in an effort to determine if additional releases need to be made.

The current lake elevation is 1,079.73 feet.  

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, serves the American public in the areas of environmental enhancement, navigation, flood damage reduction, water and wetlands regulation, recreation sites and disaster response. It contributes around $175 million to the five-state district economy. The 700 employees work at more than 40 sites in five upper-Midwest states. For more information, see www.mvp.usace.army.mil.