The City of Hot Springs has received notification that the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works has reviewed and approved the draft water storage agreement for Lake Ouachita and is ready for the final agreement to be transmitted to his office. The Corps of Engineers Vicksburg District has sent the final package to the Mississippi Valley Division, and it is expected to move rapidly through the division and Corps headquarters.
The notification is a milestone in the city’s efforts for a long-term water supply from Lake Ouachita. The final agreement will be signed by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and the President of the Mid-Arkansas Water Alliance. Once the final agreement has been signed, agreements for suballocations will be executed with various entities within the Alliance, of which Hot Springs is a member.
The current allocation for the City of Hot Springs through the Alliance is 15.75 million gallons per day. Though there are still steps to be taken, this is certainly the largest hurdle to overcome. It is the culmination of efforts that have been ongoing for several years. The original reallocation study was initiated in 2004, with renewed efforts beginning in 2012.
“This accomplishment would not have been possible without the commitment of the Board of Directors of the City of Hot Springs and the support from numerous leaders throughout the community,” said City Manager David Frasher. “I would also like to thank U.S. Senator Tom Cotton for his support, as well as U.S. Senator John Boozman and U.S. Congressman Bruce Westerman for their tenacity and constant efforts throughout this process. Without their help and guidance, we do not believe this would have come to fruition as quickly as it has.”