Corps Launches Flood Protection Study in North Dakota’s Souris River Valley
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers this week is launching a study of permanent flood protection for the Souris River Basin in North Dakota, which includes Minot.
The Corps will look at the cost-effectiveness and environmental impacts of various flood control alternatives. The study is expected to take about three years. A report ultimately will include an assessment of the alternatives and a recommendation. Implementation and federal funding would require congressional approval.
“What the study is asked to do is find the best alternatives to meet the purpose and need, achieving the best benefit-to-cost,” said Col. Daniel Koprowski, district commander for the Corps. “It will be a border-to-border look at the river.”
The Souris River enters North Dakota from Canada, loops down through Minot and meanders back across the border.
Long-term flood protection for the region is among a select group of projects the Corps has chosen to study this year. Congress earlier approved $200,000 for the study and is pushing for another $500,000 to continue it in the next fiscal year, according to North Dakota’s two U.S. senators, John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp.
The state also has provided $225 million so far for flood recovery and protection in the Minot region, according to Gov. Jack Dalrymple.
Permanent flood protection could cost as much as $1 billion.
“This whole effort will be jump-started by the tremendous amount of work that’s already been done,” said Michael Bart, chief of engineering and construction in the Corps’ St. Paul District. “We are at a more advanced state when we start this study. All that information will be used in some manner.”
Related:
- NWS: North Dakota Spring Snowmelt Flood Risk ‘Very Low’
- Low Odds of Serious Flooding Throughout North Dakota
- Minot Acquiring Flood Protection Properties
- North Dakota Officials Want Corps as Part of River Flood Plan