BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and North Dakota residents are keeping an eye on the rising Missouri River near Bismarck as the agency releases more water from a nearby dam.
Water released from Lake Sakakawea at the Garrison Dam will go from 44,000 cubic feet (1,246 cubic meters) per second to 52,000 cubic feet (1,473 cubic meters) per second by Wednesday, and continuing at that rate into early July. The increase is due to continued rapid snowpack melt and rainfall runoff, the Bismarck Tribune reported .
The river channel between Bismarck and Mandan will rise from 10.5 feet (3.2 meters) to about 12 feet (3.6 meters). The river last reached that height in January 2012, when it crested at 12.08 feet (3.7 meters), according to the National Weather Service.
The area experienced historic flooding in July 2011 when the river crested at more than 19 feet (5.8 meters).
The river stage is considered “unusually high” at 12.5 feet (3.8 meters), and residents are encouraged to watch for weather updates. There may be flooding in rural areas at 14.5 feet (4.4 meters). Access to Briardale, Hoge Island, Ponderosa and Misty Waters developments may be cut off at 17 feet (5.2 meters), and homes may flood if unprotected.
“It is going to be at the top of my bay’s erosion control,” said Cal Singleton, a Mandan resident. “Lakewood sand banks are eroding already.”
Local anglers have joined residents in voicing concerns.
“This will kill walleye fishing in the area,” said Ed Vanover, a Bismarck resident who often fishes on the river.
Lake Sakakawea is expected to peak near 1,852.5 feet (564.6 meters) in elevation in the next two weeks as runoff from the remaining mountain snowpack in Montana tapers off.
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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com
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