Around the Basin Stakeholder Updates
Directors Reports on Activities and Projects (And Others in Attendance)
RRBC Board meeting – October 1, 2009 – Grand Forks, ND
Voxland – City of Moorhead, MN: Reported that the city of Moorhead is waiting for the US Army Corps of
Engineers (COE) study to provide recommendations for flood projection. The city has approved 8.2 million
funding for short term projects – they want to react quicker and use less outside resources. 26 homes have
been bought out. Levy work to start next year. Oct. 19 the COE report to Fargo and Moorhead (F/M) and
the two counties Cass and Clay will be available.
Walker – Pembina County, ND: Reported on the border road/dyke issue and 2-D modeling efforts to better
understand the flows in that area.
Jaschke – MN Board of Water and Soil Resources: Reported that the Mississippi River basin just received
$50 million for efforts focused mainly on water quality. The Red River basin needs something similar.
Bott – City of Devils Lake, ND: Reported that one week ago the Devils Lake city commission entered into a
project agreement with the COE to extend the embankment to protect the city at an estimated cost of $113
million. Phase 1 is expected to start next summer.
Belford—RamseyCounty, ND: Reported that the ND Department of Transportation is spending $90 million
raising roads. The lake is now encompassing 170,000 acres. Devils Lake is now projected to reach 1453 ft.
Klapprodt – ND State Water Commission: Reported that that there is a tour in Wahpeton, ND next Tuesday
to see firsthand how Wahpeton is dealing with flooding problems. There is also a study taking place in
Grafton, ND regarding flood control. ND is not going to be doing the silver jackets program – most of the
things that it could provide are already taking place through other organizations.
Varnson – Nelson County, ND Water Resource District: Reported that they are completing a lot of the FEMA
work projects. A lot of recovery is needed on culverts and county roads from spring flooding. The ND Red
River Valley Joint Water Resource District Joint Board (ND RRVJWRDB) is putting together various studies
to look at retention sites. The Upper Sheyenne River Joint Board is working on a water quality assessment
that will provide information in the spring of 2010.
Van Offelen – Minnesota Environmental: Reported that he is working on the Land and Water Investment
Project with Vivek Voora (IISD), Derek Smith (RRBC), Linda Kingery (NWRP) and possibly others. The
project will be used for making land use and financial decisions. Watershed planning continues to move
forward in the MN side of the basin. Heritage funds request for proposals have been submitted for 3 projects
– one is North Ottawa.
Swenson – MN Department of Natural Resources: Reported that the MN Flood Damage Reduction Working
Group is prioritizing projects that will be used by the MN legislature for funding decisions in the upcoming 2
year bonding bill. Projects will need to be shovel ready. They are looking at tile drainage and its impacts on
flood flows. The International Water Institute (IWI) LiDAR data is available in some areas and the Devils
Lake area will soon be ready. Most of the completed LiDAR data is available on the IWI website. There will
be some recollect in certain areas. The River Watch agreement with RRWMB and IWI will be finalized in
November for a two year pilot project. Zebra mussels have entered the RRB and once they are there here is
nothing you can do but slow down the spread.
Schellenberg – Pembina Valley Water Coop, MB: Reported that they are working on a large off stream
storage project in Morris that will give water supply for close to a year in severe drought that should be
completed in the next few weeks.
Schlueter – ND Game and Fish: Reported that they are working with various projects in basin. They are
sampling and continue to sample for Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS).
Krasnesky – RM of St. Andrews, MB: Reported they are wrapping up a $1.4 million disaster assistance
claim and working on flood recovery.
Topping – MB Water Stewardship: Reported that they have looked at what could be improved after 2009
flood. And looking at 60 homes North of Winnipeg to be purchased because of ice jam problems. 2009 was
the second largest flood on record causing $45 million in damages. They want to do a better job of flood
forecasting and are exploring to gather more data. Ice mitigation program made water at Selkirk two feet
lower.
Walock –City of Horace, ND: Reported that the city of Horace is watching how the Fargo south side project
and flood protection efforts develop to see how they will be affected.
Fedeniuk– CA Agriculture and Agrifoods: Reported that efforts are underway to improve the accuracy of
their models and looking at hosting a climate change adaptation workshop.
Thompson – ND Environmental: Reported that Audubon is focusing on the clean energy bill and working with
river cleanup with River Keepers.
Evans – US COE: Reported on three of the studies that the COE has authorization for: Fargo/Moorhead
Metro Flood Study, work being done around Devils Lake, and the Basin Watershed Study for the entire Red
River basin. Oct 20th and 21st are dates for upcoming public meetings on the Fargo/Moorhead Metro Study.
Seykora – MN Citizen At Large: Reported that he is very interested in the LTFS Project and has a lot of
thoughts and questions about how it can move forward and looks forward to adding his input.
Ziegler – MN Pollution Control Agency: Reported on 3 Red River Basin Water Quality projects that are
funded and underway: Buffalo Red, Thief River, and Sand Hill River.
Ludtke – MN City of Frazee: Reported that they are working with private landowner on clean-up in Otter Tail
River area. The city of Perham is doing a review of storm water drain systems. They are also looking at
Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council for a grant for a trail head on the Heartland Trail.
Thul – MN Department of Natural Resources/MN Red River Water Management Board: Reported that the
US Army Corp of Engineers Basin Watershed Study is sponsored by NDJWRMB/RRWMB joint water
boards. Two boards are working with Corps on defining activities for using the federal funds that are
available. One task is to finish the Red River mainstem Hec-Ras unsteady flow model, which is scheduled
for completion by the end of 2010.
Nottlestad – Grand Forks County Water Resource Board: Reported that the Fordville Dam, which had been
drawn down, filled up in hours after a big summer rain and saved the infrastructure of the Colony. Small
dams do make a difference.
Frith – Devils Lake Joint Water Resource Board: Reported that they are working on upper basin storage and
currently have a few thousand acre feet of storage, with half a million acre of of inflows. They have two
programs with the ND State Water Commission and are trying to increase these programs.
Fritz – International Water Institute: Reported on the status of the LiDAR project. They are now beginning to
focus now on applications for the data. A LiDAR viewer is available on the website.