Research – Ongoing Studies
Table Rock Lake Water Supply Reallocation Analysis – (Started FY2017) This study has been paused until the Corps of Engineers Little Rock District completes a study of the entire White River system – five reservoirs of which Table Rock Lake is one.
Stockton Lake Water Supply Reallocation Analysis – (Started 2014) Approximate date of completion by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is 2022, then will move to the Assistant Secretary of the Army’s office for final consideration/approval.
Pomme De Terre Water Supply Reallocation Analysis – (Started 2015) This study is ongoing through the Corps of Engineers Kansas City District.
Research – Completed
Planning Assistance to States (PAS) SW Missouri Water Rate Study (CDM Smith) (2020) The rate study included updating demand data for potential project participants that will form the basis of a contract with USACE for water supply storage reallocation from Stockton Lake. Several conceptual pipeline alignments were evaluated using a hydraulic model to determine required pipeline sizes, pump stations, and other required appurtenances, and costs were developed for the various alignments.
Southwest Missouri Rate Study Summary – (CDM Smith) (2020) This study analyzed the 2060 annual average day demand gap for potential project participants and developed three potential alignments for water transmission from Stockton Lake to the SWMO Water members including related planning-level cost estimates.
Southwest Missouri Rate Study Addendum with Divided Costs – (2020) This addendum divides costs for potential project participants for the first approximately half of storage (multipurpose) and the second approximately half of storage (pool raise).
Progress report: Southwest Missouri Long-Term Water Supply as of 8/1/2018
Citizen Survey on Water Supply & Use (Opinion Research Specialists) (2018)
This study was commissioned to assess the opinions and perceptions about water supply and water usage among residents throughout the Tri-State Water 16-county area of southwest Missouri. To achieve this objective, online and telephone surveys were conducted in seven pre-defined geographic areas. A total of 3,287 interviews were completed among residents living in 104 communities.
Southwest Missouri Water Resource Study Phase III 1 of 3 (CDM Smith) (2018)
Southwest Missouri Water Resource Study Phase III 2 of 3 –(CDM Smith) (2018)
Southwest Missouri Water Resource Study Phase III 3 of 3 – (CDM Smith) (2018)
A key element was the development of a Project Management Plan (PMP) for a path forward to define the roles and responsibilities involved for both the Kansas City District and the Little Rock District in evaluating the overall regional water distribution opportunities for Stockton, Pomme de Terre, and Table Rock Reservoirs. Phase III included a facilities assessment to treat and convey water throughout southwest Missouri.
- Provided planning level evaluation of Table Rock Lake as a potential source of water for the southwest Missouri region.
- Provided an assessment of the existing drinking water treatment facilities in the region.
- Provided an environmental assessment and environmental impact statements review.
- Provided water supply gap demands for utilities in southwest Missouri to 2060, including associated reallocation amounts for Coalition members.
- Provided an overview of the preliminary treatment and transmission alternatives and planning level costs for Table Rock Lake (Stockton Lake supply was considered separately).
- Defined the 2060 water gaps and defined associated reallocation amounts for the Tri-State Water members.
- Provided alternatives to supply additional water from either Stockton Lake or a combination of Stockton Lake and Pomme de Terre Lake.
- Water treatment and transmission systems were preliminarily sized and planning level costs were presented for the alternatives identified.
Technical Memorandum: Southwest Missouri Water Resource Study: Summary of Phases (CDM SMith) (2016)
- Provided a summary of the previous phases of study related to the Stockton Lake reallocation study and the alternatives analysis for Table Rock and Pomme de Terre Lakes.
- Defined the water supply gap in available water versus what is needed to meet the future demands of the region, by county for the 16-county region.
White Paper 2: (Mueller) (2016)
An overview of federal and state funding sources to be considered for the southwest Missouri Water supply project(s).
White Paper 1: (Mueller) (2016)
An overview of water supply storage contracting, relevant statutes and funding history in Missouri.
Southwest Missouri Water Resource Study – Phase II (CDM Smith) (2014)
The Phase II study evaluated groundwater and surface water supply sources and availability through the year 2060, followed by a gap analysis to identify counties and areas that may experience either water supply shortages or unreliable sources of water in the future. This study provided a planning-level evaluation addressing both the short-term and long-term water supply availability as well as a preliminary investigation of supply infrastructure capacity for the region.
- The 16 county region was disaggregated into four sub-regions.
- Future drought periods will lead to significant strains on the regional water supply.
- Regionally, surface water sources, which could supplement local sources, do exist. However, the infrastructure to capture, store, treat and deliver this water is not in place currently to meet impending demands, particularly during severe drought.
- To address surface water and groundwater availability in both normal and drought conditions, five maagement scenarios were applied to the gap analysis.
- There is currently not a groundwater policy in Missouri that would limit groundwater withdrawals.
- Drought is the controlling factor for future supply gap.
- For the gap analysis, water demands reflected the use sectors of public supply, self-supplied residential, and self-supplied industrial, not including agricultural.
- There is not sufficient available source water without additional supplies during drought.
Southwest Missouri Water Resource Study – Phase I (CDM Smith) (2012)
Southwest Missouri Water Resource Study – Part 2 – Appendices
An investigation of regional water demand across the footprint for Tri-State Water Resource Coalition. This forecast was designed to improve the understanding of current and estimated future water use within publicly supplied residential and non-residential, self-supplied residential and non-residential, and agricultural water use sectors in a sixteen county region of southwest Missouri including, Barry, Barton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Polk, St. Claire, Stone, Taney, and Vernon counties. Phase I provided an analysis of both existing and future water demand for each county.
- Under baseline conditions, that is, no additional conservation measures, estimated system-wide demand under the medium growth scenario increases from 330.1 to 464.0 MGD, an increase of 36.8%. Water demand for the entire region is estimated to increase between 49.2 MGD and 245.0 MGD between 2010 and 2060, given the three different population growth scenarios. The total daily water demand in 2060 for the sixteen county region is estimated to grow to 388.3 MGD for the low growth scenario and up to 584.3 MGD for the high growth scenario.
- Demand projections for the medium-growth scenario (from 339 MGD to 464 MGD) indicate an increased demand for the region of 125 MGD, which is nearly a 40 percent increase in water demand over the next 50 years.
- Conservation can be part of the solution, but we cannot conserve our way out of needing an additional water supply. Under conservation scenario I (moderate) water demands are estimated to decrease by 1-3% annually. Under conservation scenario II (substantial) water demands are expected to be reduced by 4-7% annually.
Supplemental Reservoir Screening Study (Freese & Nichols) (2010)|
The preferred sites identified in the original reservoir study would not provide economical water for the Pittsburg and Lamar areas so the consultant was asked to further investigate sites which would.
Addendum to Supplemental Reservoir Study (Freese & Nichols) (2010)
Three potential reservoir sites were investigated in more detail (two north of Joplin, between Lamar and Pittsburg, and one south of Joplin). The possibility of withdrawal of water from below Stockton Dam was also investigated.
Reservoir Screening Study (Freese & Nichols) (2009)
Although Tri-State Water’s preference is to gain access to already impounded water in Corps of Engineers lakes (Stockton, Table Rock, Pomme de Terre) to supply our regional water needs, one or more new reservoirs may become a necessity at some time in the future. This study identified potential sites for new reservoirs.
- It would not be economically feasible to construct one reservoir to serve the entire region.
- Fourteen potential sites were defined – 10 to supply the western side of Tri-State Water’s footprint and 4 potential sites to supply the eastern side of the footprint.
Tri-State Water Supply Study (Black & Veatch) (2006)
This study investigated the future water needs of the Joplin metropolitan area, identified sources to meet those needs through the year 2050, and identified infrastructure necessary for implementation.
- Rivers and streams do not have sufficient flow to meet long-term demand without the construction of an additional reservoir.
- Ground water (the Ozark Aquifer) is not a strong option due to decreasing levels and potential contamination in some parts of the footprint.
- Additional source options included Grand Lake, Table Rock Lake, Stockton Lake, Truman Lake, a combination of those lakes, or one or more new reservoirs. The best opportunities for additional regional water supply were defined as Grand Lake, Table Rock Lake, Stockton Lake, and/or a new reservoir.
Source of Supply Investigation for Joplin (Wittman) (2003)
This study developed a hydro-geologic model of the Ozark Aquifer in Jasper and Newton Counties in southwest Missouri. The purpose of the study was to investigate a number of issues related to water supply, in particular the ability of the Ozark aquifer to sustain long-term population growth in the Joplin area.
- Additional pumping and water level data is needed to manage the ground water supply.
- The Ozark Aquifer may be unable to satisfy demand, during an extended drought. That limit may come within 10 – 15 years for some parts of the Tri-State Water footprint.
- Ideally, the aquifer should be used as a peaking supply versus a sole source of water supply.
- An additional long term water supply source should be developed.
Additional Documents:
Summary of Reports as of May 2010 Executive Summaries for:
- Source of Supply Investigation (Wittman) 2003
- Water Supply Study (Black & Veach) 2006
- Water Supply Reservoir Screening Study (Freese & Nichols) 2009