Due to flooding, erosion, and deterioration due to climate change, Little Grassy Lake will be drained starting this month.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services is taking caution to protect communities downstream that are at risk for flood damage.
This decision will minimize future impacts on the Little Grassy Dam and Crab Orchard Lake Dam, which has compromised gates.
These gates can be further impacted by a failure of the spillway at Little Grassy Lake.
In addition, the water source has been in the beginning of what is expected to be a two-year process to evaluate and rehabilitate it.
Draining the lake during the dam remediation process will help address concerns about the spillway's condition should it be activated by extreme weather conditions.
Along with draining the lake, the outlet works gate will be left open to allow water to pass at safer levels, preventing a build-up.
