News Release 564

Joint Release
Missouri Department of Public Safety/State Emergency Management Agency
Missouri Department of Natural Resources

US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO MEET WITH
LOCAL OFFICIALS ON CLEARWATER LAKE DAM

Volume 34-556

Contact:
DPS/SEMA -- Susie Stonner 573-526-9136

(For immediate release)

DNR -- Larry Archer 573-751-3807

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 27, 2006 -- State and local officials and emergency managers will meet with the US Army Corps of Engineers Thursday to discuss ramifications of several pockets of sandy soil within Clearwater Lake Dam in Reynolds County and evaluate how changes in dam operations could affect downstream communities.

The Corps announced Tuesday that exploratory drilling at the dam had detected three pockets of sandy soil with the dam's core. The Corps said experts were evaluating how this might affect dam performance, but noted that it "found no evidence of impending failure." It is, however, temporarily changing how the dam is operated while evaluations are completed and a long-term plan is drawn.

Officials from the Corps will be meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday with elected county officials, law enforcement and emergency managers to discuss changes in dam operations. The meeting will be held at the Clearwater Dam Project Offices.

"If the Corps of Engineers must make unexpected water releases from the Clearwater Dam into the Black River, we want to ensure local emergency plans are in order, and officials can immediately alert citizens in downstream communities," said Mark James Department of Public Safety Director.

Although Clearwater Lake Dam is not regulated by the Department of Natural Resources' Dam Safety Program, the department's interest is raised by the 2005 breach of Taum Sauk reservoir, which was also located in Reynolds County.

"We are thankful the Corps remains committed to keeping local officials and the public informed," said Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers. "The Taum Sauk and Johnson's Shut-ins State Park event has raised everyone's awareness of dam safety issues."

Officials will keep Clearwater Lake as near to elevation 494 as possible, which is the current elevation and normal seasonal pool level. In the event of exceptionally heavy rains, officials will target releases from the dam to try to prevent the lake level from exceeding elevation 530. This may require unusually large water releases from the dam that could flood low-lying areas downstream. This step would reduce stress that would be placed on the dam by unusual weather."

The Corps news release is available online at www.swl.usace.army.mil/newsandinfo/newsrel.html. Additional information will be posted when available on the Corps Web site: www.swl.usace.army.mil. Click "CW Lake Major Rehabilitation" for more information or call Clearwater Project Office at 573-223-7777.

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