Preventing the Murder Creek Dam

Scoping comments for the Environmental Impact Statement were submitted January 15, 2009. Read the comments submitted by the Alabama Rivers Alliance and the Southern Environmental Law Center to the Corps.

Project Background

In March 2007, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, issued a public notice for comment on the proposed Murder Creek dam in Conecuh County, Alabama. The permit, if issued, would allow for the construction of a 2000-foot long, 40-foot high, and 340-foot wide dam across Murder Creek to create a 2,650 acre reservoir.  The construction of the dam and reservoir would impact 1,453 acres of wetlands and more than 19 miles of rivers and streams (100,755 linear feet).

In issuing environmental permits, the Corps must comply with the Clean Water Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. There must be a clear public need for this project.

As of June 2008, Conecuh County is moving forward with development of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the project. Public scoping is a required part of that process.

The public scoping meeting was held December 2, 2008 at the Conecuh County Courthouse from 4 to 7 pm with an open format.

Murder Creek reservoir information sheet

Corps of Engineers EIS scoping meeting notice dated October 2008

Click here for the Corps public notice from March 2007 (including topographic map)

Click here to view comments submitted by the Alabama Rivers Alliance in April 2007 

Click here for an approximate reservoir boundary map

Photo of Murder Creek by Hunter Nichols