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Local group pitches long‑term reservoir plan to Crawford County supervisors
Summary
A local group briefed supervisors on a decades‑long effort to identify up to eight potential reservoir sites in Crawford County to address drought and economic development; next steps include forming a commission and seeking grant funding for a $1.5 million next‑phase study.
A volunteer group presented to the Crawford County Board of Supervisors on June 23 an ongoing flood and drought mitigation effort that seeks to create a water reservoir to support long‑term water availability and regional economic development.
Joe, who addressed the board in person, said work dating to 2003 identified eight candidate sites in the county that a watershed analysis indicated could support an approximately 800‑acre lake. "We're not asking for anybody's money," Joe told supervisors, adding the next step would be a commission and grant seeking. He estimated the next project phase — site selection, studies and organization — would cost about $1.5 million over five years.
Why it matters: Crawford County lacks a major aquifer, the presenter said, so creating additional water storage would be necessary for any substantial expansion of industry or large‑scale irrigation. Supporters framed the work as long‑term and phased: desktop mapping has already identified suitable watersheds but no land purchases or ground work has been done.
Questions and context: Board members asked about project cost, land rights and potential economic benefits. A presenter noted earlier regional studies and the need for grant partnerships with state and federal agencies, and said land purchase and construction could be orders of magnitude more expensive than the planning phase if the project proceeds.
What’s next: Presenters asked the board to consider signing a cooperative agreement and to place a follow‑up item on the agenda; the board agreed to put the item on a future agenda and to consult the county attorney before committing.
