BISMARCK, N.D. - The Bureau of Reclamation will lower the water level at Lake Audubon beginning Aug. 16, which will impact recreational activities in the area. The drawdown is expected to last through Oct. 1. The lake will be lowered to an elevation of 1,841 feet, which is four feet lower than the normal winter elevation of 1,845 feet. Lowering the lake level is required to conduct repairs to the Snake Creek Pumping Plant outlet works wingwall in early October.
“This early drawdown of Lake Audubon will impact access to the eastern side of the lake, making boat ramps and many docks unusable to the public," said Dakotas Area Office Manager Joe Hall. “Normally we do not begin lowering Lake Audubon water levels until after Labor Day, however, the needed repairs are pushing the drawdown start date up almost a month, shortening the recreation season on the lake."
Lake Audubon water levels will be raised to the normal winter operating level of 1,845 feet once repairs are complete. This is anticipated to begin Nov. 1, and to will take approximately two weeks.
In addition to Reclamation’s planned repairs while the lake is significantly lower, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will conduct repairs to the rock and bedding material near the Highway 83 conduit.
Repair efforts have been coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, North Dakota Game and Fish, Garrison Diversion Conservancy District, and the North Dakota State Water Commission. The group was notified in April 2020 and June 2021 to provide comments on the proposed deviation to accommodate any maintenance activities their agency may want to complete during the lowered water levels.
Source: Bureau of Reclamation
