The Settle Talk column attached below needs correction and clarification based on additional research and telecoms with Caddo Levee Board executive director, Caddo Lake Institute executive director, Blanchard mayor, Bossier Parish administrator and elected officials.
Based upon the above I believe the following is correct:
1. Water flow into Caddo Lake is controlled by the Caddo Lake Compact
2. The Caddo Lake dam is owned by the U.S. Corp of Engineers
3. The U.S. Corp of Engineers must permit any permanent structures for the large-scale withdrawal of water from the lake such as a data center, but not for homesites. cabins, camps and businesses along the lake
4. Water withdrawn from Caddo Lake will need treatment for industrial use
5. There are approximately 3500 household/small business users of water from Caddo Lake
6. The Town of Blanchard withdraws water for its treatment plant
7. The state of Louisiana owns the surface water of the lake and large-scale withdrawal of water from the lake will require a permit from the Louisiana Department of Conservation and Energy
8. Siltation and giant salvinia detritus have lowered the water capacity of Caddo Lake and has reduced the navigability of watercraft on the lake.
9. The lake has a sensitive ecosystem and any large reduction of water flow into the lake and/or large additional withdrawal of the lake can be very damaging to the lake.
The concerns expressed over utilization of Caddo Lake water for a possible data center near Caddo Lake have merit and will certainly be the subject of public data if construction of a data center is announced.
SALE OF CADDO LAKE WATER TO DATA CENTER WILL REQUIRE APPROVAL OF TWO AGENCIES
KTBS has reported that a Denver-based company has purchased 556 acres of land in north Caddo Parish on State Line Road and Blanchard Latex Road. The property is near Mooringsport and Karnack.
KTBS reported that there is speculation that a data center could be located on this property. Much like the opposition to the proposed data center location in Shreveport, questions are being asked about electricity and water demands along with wastewater treatment.
Residents near Caddo Lake have expressed concern that any water supplied by Caddo Lake for a data center would adversely affect the lake and its ecosystem.
Because Caddo Lake straddles the Texas-Louisiana border there are several government entities with various authorities and interests over the lake.
The Red River Compact between Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas controls the water distribution into Caddo Lake for Texas and Louisiana.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the dam for Caddo Lake.
The Corps controls and manages certain areas of Caddo Lake.
The Caddo Levee District owns and operates the Caddo Dam.
The Levee Board controls the Lake’s impounded water, the release of water and the water levels of the lake.
The Levee Board has the authority to sell water to a third party such as a data center.
Any sale by the Caddo Levee Board of Caddo Lake water a data will require the approval of the U.S. Corps of Engineers.