Millwood Lake update

A congressional briefing was held for State and local officials today along with several staff members of area congressmen regarding the shrinking of Millwood Lake. The Corps of Engineers has been battling hydrilla, alligator weed, and other aquatic vegetation that has been smothering the lake. Additionally, the build-up of silt is 70% higher than what planners of the lake forecasted it to be at this period of the lake's age. Senator Pryor and Congressman Ross visited the lake back in Augusut (here's the blog post from that visit).

73 million gallons of water a day are being used from Millwood for Domtar's operations and for Texarkana and Hope's drinking water. At this rate, officials do not expect the lake to last for another 25 years -- it would simply revert back to two rivers. The Corps is taking action this fall/winter by drawing down the lake by three feet beginning November 26. It will stay in that condition until February 18 to expose and remove some of the sedimentation and vegetation. The main object at this point is to obtain a federal feasibility report. Here's a picture of Steve Cole presenting Millwood Lake's challenges and opportunities. Cole is the Vice Chancellor at Cossatot Community College and chair of the Arkansas Rural Development Commission. He's also running for the Arkansas House in 2008.