Each lake community has to develop the dam rehabilitation solution that is right for them. Meadow Lake faces unique challenges that other, more developed lakes do not. That’s why we needed to develop an approach that was realistic and actionable, including looking for ways to value-engineer a cost-effective solution. We won’t fully know costs until we complete this critical study, but we believe our approach will result in a solution that we can afford.

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The WCID will be investigating financing solutions for the dam rehabilitation which may include:

• District Funds Debt (Meadow Lake WCID)

• Financing Mechanisms to Reduce WCID Debt

  • Local Government Revenues

    • The City of Seguin has pledged $5,000,000​ and has transferred $1.36M of this to the WCID in order to begin final engineering.

  • Grants​

    • DOE Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentives Grant ($5M) - applied Oct. 2023; not awarded as DOE believes our FERC exemption disqualifies us.

    • US Bureau of Reclamation WaterSmart Grant ($2-$5M) - will apply for in October 2024

    • We can and intend to pursue grants even after construction has begun

  • Other Revenues

    • Potential recreational revenue from Nolte Island - nothing agreed, but GBRA open to discussing later on

    • Potential revenue from GBRA property leases on Meadow Lake - again, GBRA open to discussing

    • Portion of Hydro Revenues

  • Low Interest Loan

    • ​US Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Program - 0.5% to 1.0% reduction to market interest rates, 35 year term to be paid after completion of construction, flexible structuring of debt; pre-application was submitted by due date Dec. 18, 2023. Were invited to submit a full application which will be submitted fall/winter 2024.