Expecting an influx of spring rains, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials announced Friday they will begin lowering Cold Brook Reservoir near Hot Springs.

According to a corps' news release, the reservoir's stored water level should fall 3 feet in the coming weeks to accept additional runoff. Releases are not expected to exceed 15 cubic feet per second and should not affect downstream landowners.

"Fall River County requested an additional 115 acre feet of storage space in the reservoir to contain rainfall runoff," Col. David Press, Omaha District Commander, said. "The county is trying to reduce the threat of flooding in the neighborhood along Cold Brook, north of Hot Springs."

Press said the additional storage will help contain small rainstorms but cannot provide adequate protection if heavy rainfall occurs.

"Although there is no imminent threat of large, uncontrolled releases or flooding, residents living in the area should remain alert for heavy rainfall," Press said.

Fall River County and the city of Hot Springs have initiatives to restore channel capacity along Cold Brook. The corps has completed its channel restoration project. By next year, the capacity should be restored to a level that a reservoir drawdown will not be required.