Valley City (CSi)  The Valley City Commission met in Special Session on Thursday evening unanimously  approving a Resolution to declare a Flood emergency.  All members were present.

City Administrator, David Schelkoph said the purpose of the Resolution is prepare paperwork in order to send to state and federal officials, in the event funds are needed in a flood fight.

 

He said the city’s action is not to increase fear in the community on possible flooding.

He said the projected flood stage on the Sheyenne in Valley City is 13 to 16 and a half feet adding the level  depends on rainfall amounts and the progress of the snow melt.

He said major flood stage is 17 feet, moderate flood stage is 16 feet, and flood prevention action kicks in at 15 feet.  At a river level of 16 feet, about 10,000 sandbags would be needed for additional protection.

He said city officials are preparing for any possible flooding as there is a significant amount of water in the water shed north of Valley City.

He added that Lake Ashtabula has significant capacity to handle inflows as of Friday morning , at 1257.90 feet. See the latest reading from the NWS click here National Weather Service  and scroll down to Bald Hill dam and Valley City levels.

He said the previously projected flood impacts on the Sheyenne and Valley City is about two weeks ahead of what is actually occurring.

He said significant rainfall, in the next few weeks, or a rapid increase in snow melt, will change the flood outlook and any actual flooding that may occur.  Water amounts in the snow pack  are located on the National Weather Service.

He added that Valley City has been proactive in flood prevention in installing permanent flood mitigation and buying out homes in the flood zone.

He said a decision will be made on building flood walls if or when the river level reaches 12-13 feet.

Valley City hosted the meeting on March 18th, when  Schelkoph said, North Dakota Emergency Management, and local authorities including the Corps of Engineers, are on the same page to  mobilize their flood fighting efforts.

Then, the City Commission with a Resolution to request Emergency Flood Assistance from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was tabled at this time.

Schelkoph said flood protection with the river level at below 15 feet would be able to be handled by city crews, above would require action by the City Commission to contact the Corps for assistance.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 68 followed by replays.