Project operations at each reservoir in the ACT basin are described in the water control manuals. These manuals typically outline the operating criteria, guidelines and rule curves; and specifications for storage and releases from the reservoirs. The water control manuals also outline the coordination protocol and data collection, management and dissemination associated with routine and specific water management activities (such as flood damage reduction operations or drought contingency operations). Updates to the water control manuals are integrated with the NEPA public involvement and documentation process. The EIS will address updated operation criteria and guidelines for managing water control actives under federal authority within the ACT Basin.

The ACT Basin Water Control Manual is comprised of a series of documents: the Water Control Master Manual and nine individual reservoir manuals that contain plans for system operation.

The Water Manual Update and NEPA processes are described on this website.

Updated water control plans will capture:

• Project/system operations refined over the years due to changes in basin hydrology and withdrawals/consumption that resulted from years of growth/development
• Drought contingency requirements to account for new data and operational changes
• Updated data reflecting current basin conditions
• New/rehabilitated project structural features
• Environmental requirements for water quality, endangered species and fish spawns
• Procedures for capturing/using real-time data provided by additional gages and monitoring devices installed since last manual updates
• Latest computer models and techniques to evaluate and establish guidelines for project operations
• Improved and streamlined methods for data exchange between the Corps and other agencies