Douglas County official: Dog River reservoir to be raised to meet 50‑year demand

Managing Director James Worthington of Development and Planning told Commissioner Martin Raxton on District Dialogue that the Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority conducted a long‑range study and concluded the Dog River reservoir requires a substantial expansion to meet the county’s needs for the next 50 years.

"It is going up 30 ft," Worthington said when describing the planned raise of the reservoir, adding that as the water level is raised the surface area expands significantly and the project should secure county water supplies for decades. Worthington said Douglas County’s drinking water is sourced from the Dog River basin — surface water that collects into the Dog River reservoir — and that, unlike many neighboring municipalities, the county operates its own water utility.

Worthington said the county has undertaken prior reservoir work and that the new expansion is meant to meet projected growth over the next half century. He did not provide a project timetable or a funding breakdown on the broadcast; those details were described as to be worked through with the water authority and county decision makers before returning to the Board for approval.

Why it matters: A raised reservoir would increase water storage capacity and play a central role in long‑term water security for Douglas County as population and demand grow.

What’s missing: The broadcast did not specify the project schedule, total cost, environmental review steps or permits required; Worthington characterized the height figure as an approximate value from the study. Follow-up reporting should request the water authority’s study, cost estimates, environmental assessments and any required state permits.

The segment did not record any formal county vote or binding commitment; Worthington said the study and planning work will be brought back to the Board for further action.