Our Water Woes

We all know, or should by now, that fresh water is becoming an increasingly public issue and a worrisome issue at that. Water tables are dropping and in 20 years we'll possibly see more headlines about fresh water than oil spills in the Gulf. We have a regional coalition looking into this and I applaud the idea that a group would be looking so far ahead rather than us waiting until our tongues are all hanging out asking where the water went. My question is, and this is not a criticism just a question, are they looking at any smaller projects or just the big one shot solves it all solutions. For instance, I have proposed that we dam Center Creek in 2 places here in Carl Junction. I've proposed taking advantage of the natural flood plain and using that to create 2 lakes in Carl Junction that I belive would do a couple of things to greatly benefit the city.

1 - Give us a fresh water supply from Center Creek that we don't currently have. Briarbrook uses the creek as a water supply for the golf course but we only use the wells that are located around the city for our water supply.

2 - Create a huge recreational opportunity for Carl Junction that doesn't currently exist.

My proposal would set these lakes up with access for non-motorized or electric powered only crafts. This would keep noise down while allowing for a lot of recreational activities that we don't currently have Carl Junction. This would benefit our citizens in a quality of life way and bring tax dollars into the city that aren't here today because it would be another reason to visit Carl Junction. The idea would also be to branch trails off of the current Thom Station trail to go along the shore line giving biking and hiking adventures not presently available.

3 - Provide some storm water detention that would in many cases prevent flooding down stream that currently occurs.

4 - This would allow is a way to prevent the flooding that cuts off access on JJ Highway and at Joplin St. in most flooding situations.

This same idea could potentially be applied in other places as well. I'm quite sure there are places on Center Creek, Turkey Creek and Shoal Creek where this could be done on smaller levels at less cost and less intrusion on land owners. Spring River is another possibility.

If we're not looking at these options with the coalition I hope that this will perhaps get a discussion started. If this sort of thing is already on the table then kudos to the coalition. I just haven't heard it publicized and wanted to throw this out as an option.