USACE provides high water update for Monroe Lake

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District is actively monitoring water levels at Monroe Lake— a flood risk management reservoir in Bloomington, Indiana, following significant rainfall over the last 48 hours.

Monroe Lake is one of five Corps of Engineers’ reservoirs in Indiana, which plays a critical role in reducing flood impacts for downstream communities. The reservoirs are part of a broader system managed by USACE, designed to temporarily store excess water from heavy rainfall until river and stream levels recede, preventing further downstream flooding. 

As of today, July 1, Monroe Lake is currently at 550.8 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) and utilizing 66 percent of flood storage, and still rising. Current forecast estimates that Monroe Lake could reach somewhere between 551.2-551.5 MSL peak elevation. For context, the year-round target lake elevation is 538 feet and Spillway Crest is 556. The reservoir has available flood storage capacity to capture additional runoff and mitigate downstream flooding risks and it is not expected that the lake will reach spillway, or a new record pool level. 

“We are proactively monitoring forecasts and real-time data to make informed decisions. We are currently releasing in accordance with the approved water control plan,” said Adam Connelly, Louisville District Water Resources Section Chief. “After downstream river levels recede, additional flood storage will be evacuated. Elevated pool levels will remain for several weeks.”

The dam is operating as intended and there are no dam safety concerns. Since becoming operational 60 years ago, the reservoir has provided more than $125 million in flood risk management benefits to downstream communities.

Monroe Lake exists as a cooperative management effort between the Corps of Engineers and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. All recreation-related impacts are managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Find the latest updates at: https://www.facebook.com/monroelake. 

To view current lake levels, visit: http://www.lrl-wc.usace.army.mil/reports/lkreport.html. 

USACE is committed to keeping the public informed as conditions change. For updates, visit: 
https://www.facebook.com/MonroeUSACE.