Purpose
Homme Lake and Lake Ashtabula are multiple-purpose sites with flood risk management, recreation and environmental stewardship business functions. Souris River Project is used for flood control and mitigation activities.
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, and picnic and playground facilities. About 2,500 acres are used for wildlife management.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 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
Corps staff provides operation and maintenance activities for all three sites. The USFWS staffs the Souris River sites and the Corps supports some cyclical and noncyclical maintenance costs. Lake Ashtabula staff also provides 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 flood damages as shown below:
Homme Lake $2,534,000
Lake Ashtabula $555,051,000
Souris River $116,480,000
Status
Repairs to the ogee crest at Baldhill Dam were designed in fiscal year 2022. In addition, an abutment stability analysis and repairs to spare gate actuators will be completed in fiscal year 2023. Repair needs for the fish barrier at Souris Dam 357 have been assessed.
Authority
Lake Ashtabula by PL 78‒534. Homme Lake by PL 78‒534. Souris River by PL 97‒88 and 99‒662.
Funding
FY 2023:
Lake Ashtabula O&M - $1,909,710
BIL - $75,000
Homme Lake $361,350
Souris River $370,260
FY 2024 – President’s Budget:
Lake Ashtabula $2,268,000
Homme Lake $330,000
Souris River $389,000