VALLEY CITY, N.D. - A group of 900 residents here wants the city and state to recognize what Devils Lake releases could mean for those living downstream along the Sheyenne River and beyond.
Sharon Buhr, a Valley City resident and representative of the Ad Hoc Downstream Group, said releasing water from Devils Lake to relieve flooding there just sends the problem down the river.
The downstream group along with another organization, People to Save the Sheyenne, gave Valley City Mayor Bob Werkhoven a petition of 900 signatures Friday.
Valley City endured record and near-record floods in both 2009 and this spring, and Buhr said putting in an uncontrolled release structure - as is planned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state water commission - could result in flows that would push the city's river levels into action stage.
Members of the group said they understand the need to alleviate flooding in Devils Lake, but many more people downstream could have to endure the impacts.
ADVERTISEMENT
The petition also asks the state and corps to conduct an environmental impact study of what an uncontrolled release structure at Tolna Coulee would mean for the drainage and geography of the entire basin.
"The implications of this are forever; it won't just come and go," said Madeline Luke, another Valley City resident who has been active in the campaign to get an environmental impact study.
The structure, as planned, would lower the lake by about 12 feet, sending all of that water, including drainage from the northern basin down the Sheyenne River, which feeds into the Red River, Luke said.
"This is changing the geography and hydrology of North Dakota forever," she said.
Last month, Gov. Jack Dalrymple and the state Water Commission apÂproved revisiting the possibility of installing a new gravity-flow outlet to allow water to begin flowing naturally as early as this year.
Devils Lake releases will also create additional sulfates - a mineral that causes taste and possibly heath concerns - in the SheyÂenne, requiring upgrades of water treatment plants that take water out of the system.
Fargo gets its water from the Sheyenne about 40 percent of the time and will start a pilot study in August to upgrade its water plant. The full overhaul could cost $60 million to $70 million.
Werkhoven said he agrees with the points the group is making with the petition and stands up for downstream interests as part of the executive committee studying flooding issues in Devils Lake.
ADVERTISEMENT
Werkhoven said he will bring the petition back to the rest of the city commission, which held a general discussion on Devils Lake issues earlier this week.
Valley City resident Mary Ann Sheets-Hanson said she's surprised more people downstream aren't speaking out about the increased flows.
"It seems like the city commission has listened more to the Devils Lake residents than us," she said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Heidi Shaffer at (701) 241-5511
