FARGO - Residents who live near south Fargo drainage channels are more relaxed during this year's flood fight thanks to new protection measures.
Rick Rayl, who has a clay levee in the backyard of his Timberline home, sent his kids and dog away during the 2009 flood as residents rushed to sandbag.
"The mood was as close to panic as you could get," Rayl said.
But this year, with the dike built to protect the neighborhood to 44 feet, residents haven't had to lift one sandbag.
"Everybody's pretty calm," Rayl said.
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City Engineer Mark Bittner said significant improvements have been made around Drain 27, which becomes Rose Coulee, and joins Drain 53.
"We're able to reduce the amount of sandbagging there immensely by those more permanent measures," Bittner said. "It's a totally different battle there now."
On Friday, the city closed 40th Avenue South over Drain 27 between Copperfield Court and 32nd Street South. The bridge will remain closed until water levels recede.
In addition to clay levees, the city also is using TrapBags and HESCO barriers in some areas, Bittner said.
Bruce Penas, president of the Meadow Creek Neighborhood Association, said residents there didn't need to sandbag this year either. A clay levee surrounds the neighborhood and protects it from Drain 53.
"The neighbors are all feeling a little better," Penas said. "Their backs are feeling better, as well as their attitudes."
High water levels in Drain 27 have forced several road closures including 52nd Ave. S in Fargo.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Amy Dalrymple at (701) 241-5590
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