Entergy is licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to operate hydroelectric dams on Lakes Hamilton and Catherine. Entergy has held such a license since the first of the two dams on the Ouachita River, Remmel Dam, was built in 1924. Remmel Dam creates Lake Catherine, and, a few miles upstream, Carpenter Dam creates Lake Hamilton. Entergy owns the dams and the land under the lakes, but not the water, which is owned by the public.

The license obligates Entergy to numerous responsibilities for managing not only the dams, but also the lakes and shoreline. In addition, Entergy routinely goes above and beyond what is required by FERC to be a good steward of the lakes and surrounding property for the benefit of the fish and wildlife of the area and the many people who enjoy recreational use of the lakes.

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