Omaha, Neb. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division, will hold a series of public meetings in five cities throughout the basin beginning April 8 to update the public on current hydrologic conditions and planned regulation of the Missouri River basin mainstem reservoirs during the coming months.
The format of the public meeting will include a presentation from the Missouri River Water Management Division regarding the current status of reservoir operations followed by a question and answer session.
“Flood control remains a primary consideration as we move into 2013 despite the growing concerns about the impacts of the drought on the basin’s resources,” said Jody Farhat, Chief of the Water Management Division. “In addition, we’re starting this year’s runoff season with the reservoirs drawn down significantly due to drought and as a result, we are implementing measures to conserve water in the mainstem reservoir system including reduced service to navigation this year.”
The Corps continues to work closely with agencies like the National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Geological Survey to communicate on-the-ground conditions and forecasts frequently with the public, said Farhat.
The schedule for the spring meeting is as follows:
Tuesday, April 9 – Bismarck, ND
7 p.m. – Public MeetingBismarck Civic Center
315 South 5th St.Bismarck, N.D.
“Public input is key to our management of the reservoirs so we look forward to meeting with stakeholders and listening to their comments,” Farhat said.
View daily and forecasted reservoir and river information on the Water Management section of the Northwestern Division homepage link below.