HERMITAGE, Mo.— During the week of March 10, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may be making higher than normal water releases from Pomme de Terre Lake, which will affect the river levels from the Pomme de Terre Dam to below Hermitage, Mo.
This date is subject to change. Although the current start date is scheduled for March 10, we anticipate this three-day exercise will take place sometime between March 2-15, weather and water temperatures permitting.
Technicians will be closely monitoring the releases to measure river hydrologic parameters and the effects of high releases on the river banks and structures constructed along the river. In recent years, river bank changes and construction along the river have reduced the ability of the project personnel to make releases needed to manage flood control storage in the lake. This test will help them to define current channel capacities and may lead to revisions in the current release criteria.
Releases are now at a normal low wintertime level of 50 cubic feet per second (cfs). They will be gradually increased during the early part of the week, peaking at 4,000 cfs on Thursday, March 13. Bank full capacity is thought to be somewhat higher than this level. By themselves, releases of 4,000 cfs do not go out of bank. During rainstorms the inflows from local tributaries like Crane Creek can greatly add to the river flow and result in flooding. Releases will be reduced to the normal flow level by the end of the week.
Engineers and technicians from the project office, the Corps’ district office in Kansas City, and the U.S. Geological Survey will be stationed along the river from the dam down to the Highway 54 Bridge below Hermitage to monitor river levels. Increases will be made gradually over four days to ensure that sufficient time is available between increments to document the river flows along the river. If at any time it appears that the releases are causing unanticipated problems, they will be terminated.
At this time of year there is little additional flow coming into the river from the downstream creeks, and because of the short duration of the test, any problems associated with the releases should be minimal. Brad Myers, the lake project manager, has been talking with downstream interests who have expressed concerns about the lake releases in recent years. He would like to hear from anyone who is interested in the proposed releases before or during the test.
Questions regarding this release or other lake operations can be directed to Mr. Myers at (417) 745-6411 or email bradley.r.myers@usace.army.mil. Chris Purzer of the Kansas City District Water Management Office may also be contacted at (816) 389-3156 or email christopher.a.purzer@usace.army.mil. The Pomme de Terre lake project office number is (417) 745-6411.
This water release test is contingent upon suitable water temperatures on the lake and dry weather conditions continuing through the week of March 10.
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