On April 30, 2008 FERC issued a license [1]for operation of the Ottumwa project located on Des Moines River in Ottumwa, IA- 80 miles southeast of Des Moines. This 3.25 MW project is operated as run-of-river consisting of a 18-foot high dam and three generating units.

The license is issued on a condition that the City of Ottumwa, which operates the project, will provide FERC with plans and schedules regarding dam safety operations within 6 months of issuance of this license. According to FERC, the licensee is currently in violation for not filing such plans.

The license also requires Ottumwa to file a recreation management plan within 6 months. The plan, according to FERC, should address access points for fishing at the dam and access sites at the Blackhawk and Haupert rivers.