WEST FARGO - The city's public works department has started 24-hour operations to monitor the spring melt, but does not expect any major issues due to flooding.
West Fargo Public Works, police and engineering officials held the city's first - and possibly only - spring melt meeting this morning.
"We're just out watching the weather, watching the ice jams," said Public Works Director Barry Johnson, adding he expects "clear sailing."
The Sheyenne River is expected to have substantial water flow for the next six weeks, said city Engineer Kevin Bucholz. As of 10:15 a.m. today, the river level was at 15.68 feet at the West Fargo diversion. Flood stage is 18 feet.
The city typically does not experience any problems from flooding because of the Sheyenne Diversion. The diversion protects the city south of Interstate 94 to the 100-year flood level and north of I-94 to the 500-year level.
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The Sheyenne has been flowing over the West Fargo project weir - similar to a dam - for two weeks and the Horace project weir since March 29. The south gates of the West Fargo project were closed Wednesday and the north gates were to be closed today, Johnson said. City pump stations are operational and temporary pumps have been installed.
The Public Works Department has plans in case of an extended power outage to operate the sanitary lift stations and water wells with generators, said Chris Brungardt, assistant public works director.
Homeowners should be running pumps outside and not into the city's sanitary sewer system, Brungardt added.
The city is monitoring for ice jams on the road crossings of the diversion and Sheyenne River. These can cause the river level to rise quickly, Johnson said.
Assistant Police Chief Mike Reitan said the department is playing a support role, loaning out communication equipment to other agencies battling flooding. Police are helping the city of Fargo and Fargo-Cass Public Health identify schools within West Fargo to use as temporary shelters, and contacting local churches as potential shelter sites for nursing homes or group homes.
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Readers can reach Forum reporter
Sherri Richards at (701) 241-5556
