It could be another month before city officials in Devils Lake have a good idea of just how much local residents will have to pay for the next round of flood protection from the lake by the same name.
The project, which is likely to cost $80 million to $125 million, will convert the present dike into a dam, raise it to an elevation of 1,466.2 feet above sea level and extend it to protect more areas outside of the city. The present dike is built to an elevation of 1,455 feet, plus 5 feet of free-board.
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill last week that includes federal funding for 75 percent of the cost, with state and local governments covering the remaining costs.
So, the state-local share could be $20 million to $31.25 million, depending on the scope of the project, which is in final design stages by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"That deals with the width of the footprint, or the base," Mayor Fred Bott. "That remains unresolved."
ADVERTISEMENT
The city and the Corps also have to sign an agreement that will give the city local share credit for money already spent on the project, according to Bott.
The Corps hopes to begin construction late this summer on Phase 1.
The city of Devils Lake has asked the state of North Dakota for $10 million for the project over the next biennium, which begins July 1. The State Water Commission will be asked at its June meeting to approve that amount for the project, Bott said.
The city also plans to apply for a loan through the North Dakota Department of Health.
While Devils Lake officials expect to borrow the local funds, the loan will be paid through the 2 percent city sales tax, which raises about $2 million annually.
The Corps will be in Devils Lake on Thursday to discuss the project, including the alignment and design.
The meeting will be from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ramsey County Courthouse in Devils Lake. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is in charge of the project, will present the proposed alignment and outline steps to address spring rising water issues.
In addition, Corps officials will be available from 2 to 5 p.m. Thursday and from 8 a.m. to noon Friday. To schedule a time to meet, call Kevin Bluhm, at the Corps' St. Paul office, (651) 290-5247.
ADVERTISEMENT
The lake elevation now is above 1,450 feet. The National Weather Service predicts it will reach an elevation of 1,451.3 feet this summer and freeze next winter about 1,449 feet or higher.
The 15-year flood fight already has cost almost $600 million, to pay for raising roads and protecting utilities such as sewer systems, water sources and electrical power lines. About 220 homes or businesses have been relocated, some of them more than once.
"Devils Lake is rising to unprecedented levels that will put the surrounding community at risk of flooding," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee.
"The Corps understands that we need to take immediate action to raise the levees, but they needed the funding to do it. This provision makes the 75 percent federal share available so work on the levee raise can move forward to ensure the city of Devils Lake and the Spirit Lake Reservation are protected."
Reach Bonham at (701) 780-1110; (800) 477-6572, ext. 110; or send e-mail to kbonham@gfherald.com .
