What we think: Prepare for water releases

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The Red River crested in Fargo Sunday, easing major flooding fears for residents of that city. The city’s mayor, Dennis Walaker, told the Associated Press on Sunday that it’s still too soon to celebrate. But in Jamestown, the work has just begun on dike-building as we prepare for higher water releases. And it’s time for residents to begin preparations if they haven’t already.

The Army Corps of Engineers increased releases from Jamestown Dam Saturday and plans to boost them this week to 750 cubic feet per second. It’s expected releases will eventually reach a total of 1,800 cfs. The corps said high snow pack in the basins upstream will result in high inflows to Jamestown and Pipestem reservoirs. The corps also said it’s possible that reservoir levels could be similar to 2009.

The city, county and Army Corps of Engineers are setting a good example. At their public meeting March 16, the corps said it was readying the city for releases of up to 3,200 cubic feet per second even through the corps most likely won’t need to release more than the 1,800 cfs.

The city is building dikes longer and higher, altering some residential landscapes and backyards for the second summer in a row.

Homeowners and business owners should follow the corps’ lead. Take what steps you can to prepare for water if you could be impacted again. Install sump pumps, move property and make plans now. Even if you live on a hill, everyone is susceptible to overland flooding. Make ready a kit with meals, medication and multipurpose tools in the case of an immediate evacuation like the one in West Town and southwest Jamestown last year. Before an evacuation is necessary, determine where you, your family and your pets could stay.

One flood fighter said it best last year: prepare for the worst and hope for the best, that’s how you fight a flood.

(Editorials are the opinion of Jamestown Sun management and the newspaper’s editorial board)

Tags: what we think, opinion, editorials, flood, water, release, jamestown, pipestem, dam, river