Flood Control Sites (ND): Lake Ashtabula, Homme Lake, Souris River

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 two 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

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff provide operation and maintenance activities for all three sites. The USFWS staffs the Souris River site (Dam 357), and the Corps 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 flood damages as shown below:

Homme Lake                                        $2,534,000

Lake Ashtabula                                $555,051,000

Souris River                                      $116,480,000

Status

Repair needs were assessed for the fish barrier at Souris Dam 357. Updates to Lake Ashtabula and Homme Dam Project master plans were approved in early fiscal year 2021. Repairs to the ogee crest at Baldhill Dam are being designed in fiscal year 2022.

Authority

Lake Ashtabula by PL 78‒534. Homme Lake by PL 78‒534. Souris River by PL 97‒88 and 99‒662.

Funding

FY 2021:

Lake Ashtabula                                           $1,552,000

Homme Lake                                                 $292,000

Souris River                                                   $386,000

FY 2022:

Lake Ashtabula                                           $1,672,110

Homme Lake                                                 $404,910

Souris River                                                   $377,190