Corps increasing water release levels at Watson reservoir
The Army Corps of Engineers is increasing the amount of water it is releasing from a reservoir near Watson in western Minnesota.
Corps hydrologist Rick Hauck says the move will prevent the reservoir in Lac Qui Parle State Park from overflowing due to this spring's heavy rains.
"Basically putting more water in now, so we don't have to hold it until it's completely full and release a higher flow then," Hauck said. "So, really, we're trying to meter it through versus completely holding it until it's overflowing and a higher flow goes through then."
The reservoir is along the Minnesota River which empties into the Mississippi River.
But Hauck says the extra water will not be enough to worsen current downriver flooding on the Mississippi.
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