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Devils Lake, Ramsey, Benson counties declare flood emergencies

by , Posted to on 03/03/2010 09:29 AM | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 07/14/2003
Location: ND
I know this has pretty much been talked about already but a text message caught my attention yesterday so I wanted to read up on it more today.  Nothing too new other than I think it may be inevitable to reach a new record.  Crazy, crazy, crazy...


Devils Lake, Ramsey, Benson counties declare flood emergencies

County commissions in Ramsey and Benson counties issued emergency declarations Tuesday in anticipation of another spring and summer of record flooding in the Devils Lake Basin.

By: Kevin Bonham, Grand Forks Herald

County commissions in Ramsey and Benson counties issued emergency declarations Tuesday in anticipation of another spring and summer of record flooding in the Devils Lake Basin.

The declarations follow on the heels of Devils Lake City Commission, which approved a similar declaration Monday.

The National Weather Service spring flood forecast currently lists a 50 percent chance that Devils Lake will rise to a record 1,451.7 feet above sea level this year, a foot higher than the record 1,450.7 feet it reached in June 2009. The weather service says there’s a 30 percent chance the lake could rise to 1,452 feet.

The lake has risen about 27 feet and has tripled in size in the past 17 years, including about 3.5 feet in 2009. That has resulted in about $1 billion in damage and improvements in public infrastructure. Another $200 million will be spent over the next couple of years to raise state highways another 5 feet, to 1,460 feet, and to raise and convert a dike protecting the City of Devils Lake into a dam.

If the lake reaches 1,458 feet, it will begin to spill naturally from Stump Lake through the Tolna Coulee to the Sheyenne River.

Each foot the lake rises covers another estimated 10,000 acres of land. The lake froze this winter at an elevation of about 1,450.1 feet.

If the lake reaches 1,452 feet this year, it likely will cause major problems for the city of Minnewaukan, N.D., located in Benson County, and for Grahams Island State Park. The only road leading to Graham’s Island is at an elevation of just above 1,455 feet, and officials say wave action on windy days quickly erodes the base of the road.

The Devils Lake City Commission also agreed to send a letter to communities downstream, urging them to seek state help to prepare for such an event, which is not expected to happen in the next year or two.

Reach Bonham at (701) 780-1110; (800) 477-6572, ext. 110; or send e-mail to kbonham@gfherald.com




 
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Re: Devils Lake, Ramsey, Benson counties declare flood emergencies
by on 03/03/2010 12:42 PM | Reply #1 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 01/08/2003
Location: ND
Yeah!!
Good Luck and Good Fishin'

Eric T


Re: Devils Lake, Ramsey, Benson counties declare flood emergencies
by on 03/03/2010 12:49 PM | Reply #2 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 11/29/2002
Location: ND
I didn't see it comin',  bummer...

Big J
Just a lil' Slap n Tickle, n Tickle n Slap....
Re: Devils Lake, Ramsey, Benson counties declare flood emergencies
by on 03/03/2010 2:38 PM | Reply #3 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 10/31/2003
Location: ND
maybe I can just drive my boat from oslo to DL in April???

Jig-em-up-Josh

www.jig-em-up-guide-service.com

Re: Devils Lake, Ramsey, Benson counties declare flood emergencies
by on 03/03/2010 2:44 PM | Reply #4 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 05/04/2005
Location: ND
Is the church gonna get their ferry up and running again?
You can't shoot a big one if you shoot a small one!
Re: Devils Lake, Ramsey, Benson counties declare flood emergencies
by on 03/03/2010 4:51 PM | Reply #5 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 10/11/2007
Location: ND
The state and many counties have already declared as should everyone expecting flooding.  By declaring you are clearing the first hurdle for outside resources to help fight the flooding.

US Navy 1988-1997US Navy 1988-1997

Re: Devils Lake, Ramsey, Benson counties declare flood emergencies
by on 03/03/2010 5:18 PM | Reply #6 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 04/04/2006
Location: ND
they better expect more than a 2 foot rise, have they seen the snowpack we have this year?
Re: Devils Lake, Ramsey, Benson counties declare flood emergencies
by on 03/03/2010 5:36 PM | Reply #7 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 05/23/2002
Location: ND
Minnewaukan is SCREWED.
Re: Devils Lake, Ramsey, Benson counties declare flood emergencies
by on 03/03/2010 6:56 PM | Reply #8 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 07/14/2003
Location: ND
Yes, folks in Minnewauken are not liking their situation at all.




 
Kirsch's Outdoor Products | Fargo, ND | 701-261-9017 koutdoorproducts.com
Risovi Taxidermy Studio | New Rockford, ND | 701-947-2048 risovitaxidermystudio.com
Jig-em-Up Guide Service | Grand Forks, ND | 701-739-9198 jig-em-up-guide-service.com

 
Re: Devils Lake, Ramsey, Benson counties declare flood emergencies
by on 03/04/2010 08:45 AM | Reply #9 | "Quote" | "Quick Reply" |

Joined: 06/10/2009
Location: nd
a guy should go there and start marking structure with a hand held gps now. then you know where the sweet spots are when its all under water.

sorry, just being smart. i don't wish flooding or losing your home upon anybody. its too bad that a series of reservoirs couldn't be created by the corp. like there is on the missouri. ft peck, sak, oahe, etc. put power plants at every dam. use the water to your advantage.

i don't claim to be an engineer. not sure what the elevation drop is between DL and ashtabula, but i would think it could be done. perhaps before its done naturally?
Hold my beer while i land this walleye!!
9 Replies | Page 1 of 11 | Top of Page | Bottom of Page
Posted By: Tim Sandstrom
Posted On: 03/03/2010 09:29 AM
643 Views, 9 Comments
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