ABSTRACT:The frequent high water levels in Chisago Chain of Lakes, located in east‐central Minnesota, have caused extensive flood damages. Recent floods raised the concern of the local property owners and they pressured the Chisago County Board of Managers to initiate a study of alternative lake control levels. A study was carried out to identify potential flood control alternatives, screen out the most promising feasible alternatives, and recommend the most cost‐effective flood control measure. Several flood control alternatives were considered ‐ eight of them were analyzed and evaluated in detail. A statistical method was used to estimate the expected annual flood damages under existing and future conditions. The effect of all proposed control measures on the annual flood damage reductions (benefits) were determined. Detailed benefit/cost analyses were carried out to evaluate the economic feasibility of alternatives. The effect of potential flood control measures on the environment was also studied. The economic analysis of the most cost‐effective alternative did not strongly support artificial lake level control, therefore the decision‐making authorities were even more firm in their position to maintain the present condition and chose the Null Alternative as the most suitable al
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