Kragnes ring dike eases flooding fears
Project was completed this summer, but enough work was done to protect some during spring floodKRAGNES, Minn. – Homes near Kragnes are at risk whenever the Buffalo River floods its banks.
By: Dave Olson, INFORUM
- Oakport Township residents have confidence in ring dike
KRAGNES, Minn. – Homes near Kragnes are at risk whenever the Buffalo River floods its banks.
Or at least, they used to be.
When flooding was at its worst this past spring, many homeowners in the area remained relatively relaxed.
The reason: a ring dike that was completed late this summer.
Enough features were in place this past spring, however, to protect residents like Sharon and Gary Grugel, who live just south of Kragnes in Oakport Township.
“It was the best flood we’ve ever had, and we’ve been out here for over 30 years. We were just so, so relieved,” said Sharon Grugel.
While the ring dike includes some levees, the Buffalo-Red River Watershed District took advantage of the road system surrounding Kragnes and incorporated those roadways into the ring dike.
A good share of the project involved the installation of special gates on culverts that during normal times allow water to flow from field to field and section to section.
During times of flooding, the gates can be closed to keep certain areas dry, with the roadways serving as water barriers.
The project cost about $60,000, a relatively small price to pay for so much protection, according to Bruce Albright, watershed district administrator.
“We call it a ring dike, but it was mostly making those culverts so we could close them during a flood,” said Albright.
Unfortunately, he added, not every community’s road system can accomodate such an arrangement.
“It’s unusual to have roads on all sides of the community,” Albright said.
The state covered half the price tag, with the watershed district and the approximately 30 benefiting property owners splitting the rest.
Albright said a similar funding formula will be used to pay for another ring dike that will go up this fall around a Kragnes-area property.
Gary Grugel isn’t sure what the exact impact of the dike will be on his taxes, but he’s not worried about it, stating the peace of mind the dike provides is worth the cost.
His wife agreed.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to do this without a huge amount of dollars,” Sharon Grugel said.
Albright said the watershed district is looking for volunteers to open and close the culvert gates at appropriate times.
During last spring’s flooding, Gary Grugel and a friend took on the job
Grugel said he didn’t mind the responsibility, adding that such things come with the territory if you live in the country.
“You’re on your own out here,” he said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Dave Olson at (701) 241-5555
Tags: ring dike, oakport township, news, floodkragnes, flood
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