Draft Environmental Assessment for the 2024 Water Control Manual Revision for Patoka Lake

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District (District) announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment for the 2024 Water Control Manual Revision for Patoka Lake, Middle Wabash Basin, Indiana.

The District has conducted an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and Engineering Regulation (ER) 200-2-2, Policy and Procedures for Implementing the NEPA. The Draft EA document dated May 2024 evaluated alternatives and environmental impacts associated with the revision of the Patoka Lake Water Control Manual (WCM) to decrease the risk of spillway events at Patoka Dam by increasing the rate of flood storage recovery, while simultaneously not increasing flood risks to downstream cities like Dubois and Jasper, Indiana. The EA evaluated the Recommended Plan and No Action Alternative for potential impacts to natural, cultural, and socioeconomic resources.

In addition to a No Action Alternative, twelve action alternatives were considered. The alternatives are described in detail in Section 2.1 of the EA. Based upon a thorough review of the efficacy and potential flood risks of these alternatives, all but the Recommended Plan and the No Action Alternative were screened from further evaluation and environmental effect analysis. The Recommended Plan entails the revision of the Patoka Lake WCM to target a gage height of 13 feet at the Jasper, Indiana gage, downstream from Patoka Dam from December 1st to April 15th (winter pool).

The District has determined that implementing the Recommended Plan would not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement is not required. The draft 2024 integrated EA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) document is available for viewing at the following link: https://www.dvidshub.net/publication/issues/71411

To submit comments related to the EA document or the Action, please contact:
2024 Water Control Manual Revision for Patoka Lake PDT U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville patokawcmupdate@usace.army.mil
Comments regarding the draft EA received by 30 July 2024 will assist in the agency’s evaluation of the project and will be reflected in the project record.