Final permits for the construction of the Little Otter Creek Reservoir were approved in November, nearly 30 years after the process began. Bud Motsinger, Presiding Commissioner of Caldwell County credits the success of this endeavor to the patience and support of the Citizens of Caldwell County and hard work of present and past Commissioners, as well as elected officials at the State and Federal level.
The 344-acre reservoir will be the primary water source for Caldwell County, providing up to 1.2 million gallons of water per day for Caldwell County residents and businesses. It will also provide recreation and flood control benefits.
The $25.6 million project is funded primarily through federal funds provided by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service. Other sources of funding include Caldwell County’s 0.5% sales tax, and State of Missouri appropriations.
Bids for tree clearing and harvest are currently in process. The goal is to have the trees in the vicinity of the dam cleared before March 31st, 2021. Final bidding and contracting will take place throughout the summer.
A groundbreaking ceremony had been planned for January 15th, but has been postponed.
