A handful of studies, ten years, and nearly $1.7 million later, the River Valley Regional Water District has determined there is not a need to build a dam at Pine Mountain on Lee Creek in Crawford County.
"We weren't just studying Pine Mountain. We were studying all alternate possible supplies of water for Crawford County. The Arkansas River was being considered," project manager Mark Yardley told 5NEWS.
The River Valley Regional Water District formed in 2000 with the fear that Lake Fort Smith would not be able to supply Crawford County with water long-term. That has changed. The RVRWD was working under an old study.
"The methods that are used today would support a higher yield from that lake than 21 a much, much higher yield," Yardley explained.
Fort Smith has previously said that their lake will supply the region for the next 50 years. Knowing that, Yardley says Crawford County won't have to take the issue up again for another three decades at least. Finances were also a factor. The economy played a major role in the group's decision not to move forward.
The RVRWD had overcome a major obstacle to get to this point: Lee Creek is considered an extraordinary resource waterway which means it's protected. They had to reach a compromise with state agencies and also faced fierce opposition from outside groups like the Arkansas Canoe Club. President Tom Burroughs is pleased.
"We are very relieved to see that the area will be preserved. It is an extraordinary resource waterway as designated by the state and to see that preserved is very important to all of us who use the water for recreation," he said Wednesday.
Members had mounted protests and were very vocal that they didn't want to see Lee Creek dammed.
The River Valley Regional Water District will remain a group and work together on smaller projects within their district. Although a lot of time and money was spent, Yardley says some of the information could still be useful for the future.
"I wouldn't say that it was a total waste," Yardley said reassuringly.
The board also voted to end a 50 cent per meter charge that was used to help fund the long-term water supply study. You can read more on this story from our partners at TheCityWire.com.
"We weren't just studying Pine Mountain. We were studying all alternate possible supplies of water for Crawford County. The Arkansas River was being considered," project manager Mark Yardley told 5NEWS.
The River Valley Regional Water District formed in 2000 with the fear that Lake Fort Smith would not be able to supply Crawford County with water long-term. That has changed. The RVRWD was working under an old study.
"The methods that are used today would support a higher yield from that lake than 21 a much, much higher yield," Yardley explained.
Fort Smith has previously said that their lake will supply the region for the next 50 years. Knowing that, Yardley says Crawford County won't have to take the issue up again for another three decades at least. Finances were also a factor. The economy played a major role in the group's decision not to move forward.
The RVRWD had overcome a major obstacle to get to this point: Lee Creek is considered an extraordinary resource waterway which means it's protected. They had to reach a compromise with state agencies and also faced fierce opposition from outside groups like the Arkansas Canoe Club. President Tom Burroughs is pleased.
"We are very relieved to see that the area will be preserved. It is an extraordinary resource waterway as designated by the state and to see that preserved is very important to all of us who use the water for recreation," he said Wednesday.
Members had mounted protests and were very vocal that they didn't want to see Lee Creek dammed.
The River Valley Regional Water District will remain a group and work together on smaller projects within their district. Although a lot of time and money was spent, Yardley says some of the information could still be useful for the future.
"I wouldn't say that it was a total waste," Yardley said reassuringly.
The board also voted to end a 50 cent per meter charge that was used to help fund the long-term water supply study. You can read more on this story from our partners at TheCityWire.com.
