There is no effort currently underway to change the management of Lake Traverse. The Corps is only looking to gather input on the suite of options that may be available. Any proposed changes to water levels or updates to the Lake Traverse1994 Water Control Manual would be openly shared in a separate public comment period.

If a Mud Lake drawdown were authorized in the future, the Corps would avoid changes to water levels in Lake Traverse during the recreation season.

In high water levels years, water held in Mud Lake could limit releases to the Bois de Sioux River. The Corps is working with resource agencies to better understand the potential affects of water quality and quantity because of Mud Lake drawdowns. 

The Corps is soliciting input on a potential drawdown of Mud Lake. Channel or lake dredging or clean-out, widening, or herbaceous weed control (herbicide or manual removal) is not currently identified in the suite of options being considered. It is possible that the Corps would need to remove sediment at the outlet of White Rock Dam to facilitate lower water flow releases to the Bois de Sioux River. The Corps is working with state, tribal, and local officials to determine constraints for minimum water discharges to the Bois de Sioux. Changes to ditching and tiling in the watershed are not under the Corps’ authority for this effort.

No.

Although flood risk management is the primary authorized purpose for the reservoirs, fish and wildlife management, water supply and recreation are other purposes authorized by Congress, so long as they are consistent with the primary purpose of the reservoirs.