On April 3, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) placed federal permit SWL-2019-00034 on public notice. The applicant, Missouri American Water Co., requests the authorization of fill placement in Baynham Branch Reservoir for developing a drinking water reservoir to supply Joplin, Missouri and surrounding areas. The proposed reservoir would submerge 828 acres and supply approximately 20 million gallons per day of drinking water to the service area. This public notice met the requirements for joint public notice as dictated in 10 CSR 20-6.060 and 40 CFR 121.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources received significant public inquiry regarding this project. The department's Water Protection Program has state Clean Water Act Section 401 certification authority for this project. However, the department has not received a request for certification at this time. If a certification request is received, any potential certification evaluates whether the activity will comply with applicable water quality requirements. The department’s evaluation is limited to the water quality-related impacts from the activity subject to the federal license or permit, including the activity’s construction and operation.
If a certification request is received, all associated documents will be made available below. If the department proposes to issue a Section 401 Water Quality Certification, the proposed certification will be made available for public review and comment on the department's Section 401 Water Quality Certification webpage. For questions regarding the department’s authority and the scope of water quality certification, please contact the department's Water Protection Program by email at wpsc401cert@dnr.mo.gov or call 573-751-1300.
For questions regarding this project that are outside of our certification authority, please contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District, Regulatory Division:
Website: Little Rock District Regulatory
Phone: 501-324-5295
Email: CESWL-Regulatory@usace.army.mil