3/20/25 - Glenn Brown Public comment - summary of Ozark Underground Laboratory Research findings
In 2020, the Ozark Underground Laboratory, Inc. (OUL) was retained by a landowner in the area of the planned Baynham Branch reservoir to conduct an independent and non-invasive evaluation of the MAWC proposal and of the proposed dam and reservoir. The OUL has summarized findings from those investigations in three reports, which have been shared widely with the public and MAWC. The reports are listed below: 1) Evaluation of a Selected Site for a Proposed Joplin Water Supply Reservoir on Baynham Branch. Phase 1 Report. December 29, 20202) Evaluation of a Selected Site for a Proposed Joplin Water Supply Reservoir on Baynham Branch. Addendum 1 to December 29, 2020, Report. April 2, 20213) Evaluation of a Selected Site for a Proposed Joplin Water Supply Reservoir on Baynham Branch. Second Addendum to December 29, 2020, Report. February 7, 2022. On March 4th, 2025, the OUL was notified that pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, MAWC had requested authorization for the placement of dredge and fill material in waters of the United States for the purpose of construction the proposed water supply reservoir. On behalf of our client and landowners in the affected area, this document is a summary of the OUL’s evaluation of the proposed dam and reservoir for the purpose of providing public comment as part of the Section 404 permitting process.
3/17/25 - Joplin globe - corps opens public comment period on proposed reservoir
3/14/25 - Joplin Globe - Stockton lake ok'd as future water source
On March 14, 2025 the Joplin Globe released an article detailing the approval of a "long-awaited alternative water source for much of Southwest Missouri". Executive Director of Southwest Missouri Water, Roddy Rogers, stated that the Army Corps of Engineers has made the decision to allow access to Stockton Lake water storage. This could serve nearly a million people in the future through a pipeline that would be constructed from the lake. This would include the city of Joplin.
3/4/25 - Corp of engineers - joint public notice

1/19/23 - missouri public service Commission hearing

Thomas Aley, President of the Ozark Underground Laboratory, presented the above statement at the Missouri Public Service Commission hearing in Joplin, Mo on 1/19/2023. Thomas and his team have conducted extensive studies at the proposed Baynham Branch reservoir location since the site was announced. In this statement Thomas highlights that the 25% proposed rate increase by Missouri American Water is only the tip of the rate increase iceberg if the construction of the reservoir is allowed to proceed.

BAYNHAM BRANCH - PHASE 1 REPORT

This report and corresponding studies were carried out by Ozark Underground Laboratory under the direction of Hydrogeologist Tom Aley. Their credentials and experience in this area of study speaks for itself. http://www.ozarkundergroundlab.com/about-us.html This report clearly documents the water leakage that is prevelent in Baynham Branch. It also documents where this leakage discharges from. A location that is refered to as HFP Springs and is well below the proposed dam location.

ADDENDUM-1 TO BAYNHAM BRANCH PHASE 1 REPORT

This addendum was done to properly document the affects of a raised water level in Baynham Branch. After significant rain fall in March of 2021 the water depth in Baynham Branch and output of water from the HFP Springs were monitored. The data shows that raising the water level in Baynham Branch multiplies the amount of water discharged from HFP Springs. This discharged water will not be captured by the proposed dam.
ADDENDUM-2 TO BAYNHAM BRANCH PHASE 1 REPORT
This addendum provides additional hydrological information to evaluate the proposed site for the Joplin water supply reservoir on Baynham Branch. Water level and flow data were monitored at the Harris Family Property (HFP) Springs complex over a 15-month period. In addition, in 2021 the Ozark Underground Laboratory (OUL) continued monitoring for tracer dyes at several relevant spring and stream sampling stations established during the initial Baynham Branch tracing study in 2020. This monitoring coincided with dye tracing conducted by the Missouri American Water Company (MAWC) consultants in the fall of 2021. The results of OUL’s monitoring of the MAWC’s tracing work are included in this addendum.

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION - MISSOURI POND HANDBOOK

Interesting note on Page 9 of the Missouri Pond Handbook. "Note: As a general rule, avoid pond sites with springs or sinkholes as they may leak. Also, avoid sites in large valleys that have poorly defined stream channels and no standing water in pools. Such sites, called “losing” stream valleys, are poor candidates for successful ponds. The surface water disappears into porous bedrock. Also avoid areas that are sandy or gravelly or that have limestone or shale outcroppings because they sometimes allow water to flow under or around the dam after construction. Rocky areas often have open cracks that are invisible above ground. These cracks in the bedrock, which feed underground springs, cause water to flow out of the pond basin. Unless properly designed and constructed, a pond built in an area of cracked bedrock may be an expensive dry hole." The currently proposed location for the Joplin Reservoir contains many of the conditions listed above.

2009 Water Supply reservoir screening study

In 2009 the city of Monett and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in conjuction with Tri-State Water Resource Coalition funded an extensive screening study to determine potential water reservoir sites in Southwest Missouri. This study was conducted to find possible reservoir locations that could be used to negate future water shortages for the cities of Southwest Missouri, including Joplin. In this study 14 sites were identified between the Southwestern most point of the state up to the Northwest corner of Greene County. (Northwest of Springfield) Out of these 14 suggested locations not a single one was anywhere near Baynham Branch and the currently proposed location of the Missouri American Water Reservoir. (Page 22-23 of the report shows a map with the 14 proposed locations in 2009) If Baynham Branch was not a good location in 2009, then why is it a good location now?

Ozark underground lab's review of the 2009 water supply reservoir screening study

Ozark Underground Lab reviewed the 2009 Water Supply Reservoir Screening study report that was requested by the city of Monett, the Missouri DNR, and the Tri-State Water Resource Coalition. This review was put together based on the 2009 Water Supply Reservoir Study and how it relates to the current Missouri American Water proposed reservoir project.

2004 - St. Louis area lake goes dry

Karst geology Leads to Significant seepage in Major tennesee reservoirs. dams Now labeled as "high risk" for failure by U.S. corp of engineers

Hales Bar Dam - (Links Below) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hales_Bar_Dam https://tagcaver.wixsite.com/undergroundearth/single-post/2017/07/28/The-history-of-the-Hales-Bar-Dam-on-the-Tennessee-River-in-Marion-County-Tennesseehttps://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/segweb/economicgeology/article-abstract/41/6/576/15938/The-foundation-of-Hales-Bar-Dam-Tennesseehttps://www.liquisearch.com/hales_bar_dam/constructionhttps://plex.page/Hales_Bar_Dam Wolf Creek Dam - (Links Below) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Creek_Damhttps://www.tva.com/Environment/Lake-Levels/Wolf-Creekhttps://www.somerset-kentucky.com/news/local_news/corps-of-engineers-roemhildt-says-wolf-creek-dam-is-high-risk/article_08973149-1fc8-522d-97f3-5b3ddeaa1530.html Center Hill Dam - (Link Below)https://www.waterpowermagazine.com/features/featurea-history-of-karst-seepage-center-hill-dam-rehab