The Corps of Engineers has announced that the controlled drawdown at Milford Lake has begun. They are taking the lake down three feet below normal to an elevation of 1141.4. They are currently releasing 3,000 cubic feet of water per second and should be close to the target level in 10 days, depending on inflows and downstream conditions.

The current lake elevation is 1144.75.

The current inflow at the Clay Center gauge is 1,160 cfs.

The Corps plans to maintain the lake elevation at 1141.4 until mid-March. That will eradicate any exposed zebra mussels and provide clear spawning areas for walleye. They will then allow the lake to gradually increase to 1143 elevation and maintain it through the summer.