Corps sues Ameren over Taum Sauk disaster

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The Army Corps of Engineers is suing AmerenUE, claiming debris from the Taum Sauk reservoir breach dumped sediment into Clearwater Lake Reservoir, damaging the lake and its natural resources.

The federal lawsuit was filed Dec. 12. It seeks unspecified damages.

Ameren operated the Taum Sauk hydroelectric power plant on Profitt Mountain in Southeast Missouri. A breach on Dec. 14, 2005, sent more than 1 million gallons of water into Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park and the Black River, which feeds Clearwater Lake. A family of five was hurt but survived.

An Ameren spokeswoman says the company is not aware of evidence that sediment from the breach is affecting the lake's operational capacity.

In January, Ameren agreed to a $180 million settlement with the state.