Valley City, ND KCSi-T.V. News Apr 19, 2013) — The Valley City Commission met in Special Session Friday morning at 7:30, (Apr 19, 2013) at City Hall and approved Resolutions pertaining to declaring a Flood Emergency , and requesting Emergency Flood Assistance.

Mayor Robert Werkhoven said the declaration allows the city to be eligible for federal flood fighting reimbursements and assistance from the Corps of Engineers.

As of Friday, there is no immediate concern of flooding in Valley City.

The City Commission appointed City Commissioner, Mary Lee Nielson, The Public Sponsor Incident Commander, and gave Declaration of Authority to the Incident Commander for this emergency.

The City Commission also approved a Cooperation Agreement between “The United States of America, and the City of Valley City,” for Emergency Flood Assistance.

The City Commission will meet next week with the Corps when new information is available.

The National Weather Service says there is a 50-percent chance that the Sheyenne River in Valley City will reach about 16.9 feet. There is also a 50 percent chance of the Sheyenne rising to 18.2 feet in Lisbon this spring.

The previous flood outlook, placed the Sheyenne River level in Valley City this spring was 12.57 feet.

Army Corps of Engineers, Bald Hill Dam Manager, Rich Schueneman said Valley City is “well positioned,” to handle a Sheyenne River level of 16. 9 feet, or 19.9 feet which has a 25% chance of happening.

He pointed out the previously high river level in Valley City was 20.69 feet in 2009, and 20.66 in 2011.

He added that the snow moisture content as of Friday in the upper basin between Cooperstown and Warwick was between two and a half and three and a half inches. Between Oberon and Maddock the snow moisture content was 4-5 inches.

Schueneman added, Lake Ashtabula has been drawn down to the minimum of 1,257 feet, with flood control storage space available.

Barnes County will follow up with its own Emergency Declaration.

Mayor Werkhoven said Valley City still has HESCO flood control units and some sandbags in storage, adding that flood mitigation occurs when the Sheyenne River in Valley City reaches 17 feet. At that time bridges are protected.

On Friday morning at 6:45 a.m. the Sheyenne River level in Valley City Was 4 feet, with flood stage at 15 feet.

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

Previously…

Valley City, ND (KCSi- T.V. News Apr 18, 2013) — Officials in Valley City will meet with  the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, following a request by the city for an emergency declaration, due to an updated Sheyenne River  spring 2013 flood forecast.

The declaration with the Corps is expected to be made Friday, followed by a Monday morning meeting, to discuss any flood protection measures that may be needed in Valley City.

The National Weather Service says there is a 50-percent chance that the Sheyenne River in Valley City will reach about 16.9 feet. There is also a 50 percent chance of the Sheyenne rising to 18.2 feet in Lisbon this spring.

The City Commission will meet at City Hall in Valley City on Friday morning at 7:30, to discuss the updated flood forecast and outlook.

Another City Commission meeting is set for Monday morning at 8-O’Clock at City Hall, to discuss the updated flood forecast and outlook.