LaMoure gets to work as river approaches a crest

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The James River could crest in LaMoure, N.D., within a week, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. The National Weather Service predicted a crest of 16.7 feet at a LaMoure County public meeting Monday.

The 16.7 feet prediction is just above the level of the city’s first crest in late March of last year. The crest was a record-setting one, which was later surpassed by the city’s second peak in mid-April, 2009, at 17.56 feet, said Sheri Gartner, LaMoure County director of emergency services. "They’re thinking it may be closer to last year with the amount of water going into the dam,” she said.

The Army Corps of Engineers echoes that thinking. Last week, it announced Jamestown would likely release up to 3,200 cubic feet per second combined from its two dams. At its peak, Jamestown released 3,200 cfs combined last year. In 1997, the corps never released more than 1,800 cfs.

The corps recommended construction of emergency levees, said Tim Temeyer, chief of water control and water quality for the Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha district.

Construction began Tuesday, Gartner said. Sandbag operations are expected to begin today. LaMoure County residents can purchase unfilled sandbags for 12.8 cents apiece plus the cost of a load of sand, she said.

Those who are available to help are asked to call the county at 701-883-5301, ex. 243. They may fill sandbags, at a central location, Gartner said, or they may be asked to build dikes at individual homes.

“We have a lot of rural residents who are going to need help sandbagging,” she said.

Last year, LaMoure County identified about 50 homes it considered at-risk, Gartner said. Many homeowners are already preparing for flood conditions, she said, clearing snow, moving property to higher ground and building levees.

For more information on flood conditions in LaMoure County, visit its Web page at http://lamourecountynd.com/DES.html or call LaMoure County’s Flood Information Hotline at 701-883-5301, extension 231.

Sun reporter Katie Ryan can be reached at 701-952-8454

or by e-mail at kryan@jamestownsun.com

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