Valley City held Flood Meeting Sunday

Valley City  (CSi)  Meeting in Special Session Sunday the Valley City Commission discussed Flood Emergency issues and Planning.  All members were present.

From the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers,  Colonel Jansen from St. Paul, Minnesota was in attendance, and said that the Corp is working with the city and others in the flood fight, and mitigation issues.

North Dakota National Guard Army General Alan Dohrman in attendance said, he looked at the city’s efforts of flood mitigation saying that the Guard is ready to assist in flood fighting efforts if needed.  He pointed out that the flood mitigation has improved since the late 1990’s with the permanent flood control efforts.

The National Weather Service reported the forecast river crest is at 18.5 feet on April 30, with protection being installed to 20 feet, with two feet of free board.

Baldhill dam resource manager Rich Schueneman said on Sunday the Baldhill Dam level was at 1265.78 feet, 1266 feet, is the conservation pool level that is maintained during the summer.   The water release on Sunday from Balhill Dam was 3,500 cfs, to be maintained until the levee installation is completed.

The Corps plans to release 5,500 cubic feet per second of water out of Baldhill dam on April 30. The Sheyenne River level will be maintained at 15.7 feet, until the levee installation is completed. A construction contract has been agree to with Strata Corporation, for flood mitigation.

City Administration Gwen Crawford added, sandbags have been installed at the VCSU footbridge.  Flood walls to be in place by the end Sunday.

The City of Fargo provided 15,000 prefilled sandbags to Valley City.

All officials urge the public including motorists to stay away from crews installing flood protection and let them do their job, also, not drive on city streets near the river.

Mayor Carlsrud thanked the voters in Valley City for earmarking sales tax dollars for permanent flood control, and the North Dakota legislature for providing additional dollars for flood mitigation.

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

Commissioners also Scheduled Daily Meetings to be held at 4-p.m., from the City Hall Chamber.