Many Outlet Plans...

Adding up Outlet Plans to Drain into the Sheyenne River plus the average river volume EQUALS:

  • Higher Water
  • More Erosion=loss of real estate and costs of road destruction.
  • More flooding events - the river channel must absorb thunderstorm runoff.
  • Saltier water - channel flow could be largely outlet water in summer dry season.
  • Well water quality harmed: Recharging aquifers along river route will absorb more salt.
  • Native biota cannot live in saltier water - mussels in river will all die.
  • Sediment load increases in faster flowing water.
  • Mercury levels increase in river water sediment, Lake Ashtabula and Red River.
  • Fish taken from Lake Ashtabula will have higher mercury levels (this is a bad thing.)
  • Red River will receive the same saltier, higher levels of water adding to those flooding events.
  • Passing on water downstream causes problems.
  • Permits have not been properly applied for under the Century Code of ND:
  • “ A permit may not be granted until an investigation discloses that the quantity of water which will be drained from the pond, slough, lake, or sheetwater, or any series thereof, will not flood or adversely affect downstream lands. If the investigation shows that the proposed drainage will flood or adversely affect lands of downstream landowners, the water resource board may not issue a permit until flowage easements are obtained...”
  • Complete citation, see pg. 5 of document by Gary Pearson to the SWC (Microsoft Word pdf). Click on the Comments link below.

Comments on SWC appl250



Outlet To Sheyenne
River
Outlet
Location

Discharge
Volume
Cumulative
Subtotal Adding to Sheyenne

1.
West Bay
100 cfs
(plus increase requested to 250 cfs)

100 cfs -up to 250 cfs

250 cfs

2.
West Bay
(add’l proposed)

Adding
100 cfs

100 cfs

350 cfs

3.

East Devils Lake
(proposed)

Adding 250-350 cfs

250-350 cfs

600-700 cfs
Potential Total






January 24, 2011, North Dakota Govenor's website.

Dalrymple Moves Up Devils Lake Flood Control Timetable
BISMARCK, ND – Gov. Jack Dalrymple today ordered an emergency waiver that allows for the immediate design and construction of a water control structure at Devils Lakes’ Tolna Coulee.
Dalrymple’s order shortens by about two months the State Water Commission’s prescribed timetable in selecting a design and contractor to build a control structure at Tolna Coulee. State law holds that the governor has authority to waive certain agency procedures when necessary to minimize or avert the effects of a disaster or emergency.
“Building a control structure at Tolna Coulee is a critical element in our strategy to alleviate flooding at Devils Lake and protect downstream communities,” Dalrymple said. “We will proceed expeditiously at Tolna Coulee and with plans for additional outlet capacity.”
State officials plan to expand the lake’s west-end outlet to increase water discharges from 250 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 350 cfs; build an east-end outlet with a discharge capacity of 250 cfs; and build a control structure at Tolna Coulee.
According to the National Weather Service, water levels in the Devils Lake region are currently at 1451.6, with a 90 percent chance they will rise to 1453.5 and a 50 percent chance they will rise to 1454.6. Greater than average precipitation and heavy snowpack suggest Devils Lake and Stump Lake will rise to record levels this spring and summer.

05058500 SHEYENNE RIVER AT VALLEY CITY, ND USGS
http://nd.water.usgs.gov/floodtracking/charts/05058500_09020204.html
Flood Tracking Charts for North Dakota and Selected Tributaries (USGS)
http://nd.water.usgs.gov/floodtracking/index.html