Water Resources

Corps' Management of Reservoirs in the Missouri River Basin Gao ID: T-RCED-94-43 October 11, 1993

This testimony focuses on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' management of the Missouri River reservoir system under drought conditions during 1989-90. GAO concludes that the Corps acted consistently with its drought contingency plan in releasing water from the reservoir system during the three-year period and that all of the purposes served by the reservoirs, except flood control, were harmed. The plan does not reflect current economic conditions in the Missouri River Basin. Contrary to the Corps' beliefs, federal statutes do not require the Corps to give recreation a lower priority than other project purposes--flood control, navigation, irrigation, and hydroelectric power--in deciding on water releases. Congress should consider legislation that would require the Corps to set priorities for operating its reservoir projects on the basis of the economic, environmental, social, and other benefits of all authorized purposes.



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