Caldwell County

Little Otter Creek

Water Supply Lake Project

The Project:
A dependable water supply system has long been a concern for Caldwell County. In recent years, parts of the county have been faced with mandatory water conservation measures. Demand for water continues to grow and is expected to increase. The Caldwell County Commission created the Caldwell County Lake Project Steering Committee to provide recommendations for developing a county lake to meet the social and economic needs of the county. The committee is to provide a guidance and vision for future water demands of Caldwell County. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the Green Hills RC&D is assisting the committee through the Small Watersheds Act, a program administered by NRCS since 1954.

Location:
NRCS engineers have studied numerous watersheds in Caldwell County, and decided that the best site for the lake is about 2.5 miles south of U.S. Highway 36 on Little Otter Creek.

Click on the pictures for larger view

Benefits:

Water supply capable of meeting the needs of the county

Recreation site for fishing, hunting, picnicking and nature study

Reduced flooding of downstream farmland

Improved wildlife habitat and management

Erosion and sediment control

Pertinent Data:

Drainage area of 7.13 square miles or 4,560 acres

Permanent pool will be 220 to 290 acres, depending upon amount of water desired

Preliminary studies estimate potential water supply of 1 million gallons per day

Timetable:
The committee is working on a time line to complete the watershed plan by January 2003. The plan would then be presented to Congress for approval. It is hoped that the plan would be approved in 2003. Once the plan is approved by Congress, the county would develop funding options and purchase the land. The estimated time to complete this phase is one to two years. NRCS would proceed with the final geologic investigation, testing and construction plans when preliminary land rights are obtained. The estimated time is one year. Construction of the dam would take one to two years, depending on weather and numerous other factors relating to construction. 

**CURRENT UPDATE**

The Little Otter Creek Watershed Plan and EIS was submitted to the Wetland and Watershed office of the US Department of Agriculture.  It is currently pending approval in the US Senate for a planning start.  In August, 2002,  the voters of Caldwell County approved a county wide sales tax of 1/2 cent that will be used to pay off the issuance of the bonds to fund the project.