ST. PAUL, Minn. (USACE) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE,) St. Paul District, is updating its Lake Traverse and Mud Lake water control plan and is seeking public input by hosting two public meetings. The two lakes are located near Wheaton, Minnesota.

Corps staff are updating the current plan to ensure it meets the needs of the communities and minimizes flood threats. The plan was last updated in 1994. Corps engineers operate the reservoirs in accordance with the plan to manage water levels.

At this early point in the process, the Corps is soliciting public opinion on topics that should be considered during the update and potential options to continue or change water management at Lake Traverse and Mud Lake. Corps staff are hosting the public meetings to discuss the process and provide an opportunity to hear from the public on what should be reviewed during the update.

The public meetings will be held:

Tuesday, Jan. 31, from 6 – 7:30 p.m., at the Wheaton High School Auditorium, 1700 3rd Ave. S, Wheaton, Minnesota, 56296.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, from 6 – 7:30 p.m., Wahpeton High School Auditorium, 1021 11th St. N, Wahpeton, North Dakota, 58075.

Both meetings will be identical and include a brief presentation highlighting the current plan, followed by an opportunity to hear from the public. The meetings will also be streamed on the St. Paul District Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/usace.saintpaul. People needing special accommodations for the meeting are asked to contact Jill Bathke at 651-290-5697 or Lake.Traverse@usace.army.mil no later than Jan. 30.

Comments on the Lake Traverse water management plan update should be submitted no later than March 3, via mail to District Engineer, St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers, ATTN: Regional Planning and Environment Division North; 332 Minnesota St., Suite E1500; St. Paul, Minnesota 55101-1638, or by email at Lake.Traverse@usace.army.mil.