Corps rejects Blunt's request to release water

Governor disappointed that water from Missouri River reservoirs isn't going to be released.

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has rejected a request by Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt's office to release water from reservoirs on the Missouri River to help shippers navigating the drought-plagued Mississippi River.

In a letter dated Tuesday, John Paul Woodley, the assistant Army secretary who oversees the corps, said conditions do not warrant a special release of water to keep barges moving.

"I do not believe that an emergency situation exists at this time," Woodley said. "I expect the corps' dredging capability will effectively address the current low water conditions on the Mississippi River."

Blunt made his request two weeks ago, warning that the Mississippi River could be shut down to commercial navigation -- causing massive economic losses -- if the drought continues and more water is not released from upstream.

Since Blunt made that request, the Mississippi has risen considerably as a result of rains in the region. While not enough to ease the plight of farmers, the rains have pushed the Mississippi up 6 feet at St. Louis and 4 feet at Cape Girardeau.

Late last night, the Mississippi stood at 10.2 feet at Cape Girardeau. Long-term forecasts envision a fall during the next month of up to six feet, but those forecasts are based on a total lack of rain.

On the lower Mississippi, the rise has been less dramatic but higher levels on the Ohio River have pushed the gauge up several feet at Memphis.

Woodley made the comments in a letter to Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., who had asked the Corps to reject Blunt's request. Pomeroy's office sent the letter to the Associated Press.

Blunt spokeswoman Jessica Robinson said the governor is disappointed with the Corps' decision.

"The governor is concerned that we'll encounter worse problems this fall, and he believes that releasing water from Missouri's reservoirs is an important tool that we should have at our disposal," Robinson said.

Pomeroy shot back: "The Corps' decision to reject Governor Blunt's request recognizes that upstream drinking water needs come before negligible navigational activity downstream."

In his letter, Woodley cited a federal appeals court decision last week that upheld the Corps' right to manage the Missouri reservoirs under a master plan the agency issued last year. The plan shortens the navigation season on the Missouri by 48 days and calls for a "spring rise" to release water at specified times each year.

"Our intent is to operate the Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System strictly in accordance with the Master Manual," Woodley's letter said.

At levels seen Tuesday, the Missouri River provides about one-third of the flow of the Mississippi between St. Louis and Cairo, Ill.

The Corps manages dams and reservoirs along the Missouri River, but its oversight has long been pulled in different directions by competing interests.

Downstream states like Missouri and Illinois want more water released from the dams to support barge traffic, while northern states, also suffering from the drought, want to keep water in upstream reservoirs to help fishing and boating interests.