Water Board OKs cemetery drain

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The Stutsman County Water Resource Board decided at its meeting on Halloween to act to reduce flooding at an area cemetery.

During its meeting Wednesday, the board approved a drain project that will alleviate flooding and reduce the water table at the Sacred Heart Cemetery at Fried. The project would also drain several surrounding square miles of land.

“The water backs up into Fried and the water table is real high at the cemetery,” said Robert Giengler, area resident who brought the drain request. “We want to move the water across our land and out of the area.”

Giengler said the project could take as long as two years and would also drain water from his property in sections 10 and 11 of Fried Township. The water would drain into Kropp’s Dam with excess water flowing through Seven Mile Coulee and ultimately into the James River.

The board also met with Clifford Kropp, resident of the same area, about forming a Drain District to share the cost of a drainage network.

Ken Dalsted, secretary and attorney for the Water Board, said an engineer’s estimate was required before a drainage district could be formed. Then all property owners in the affected watershed would be allowed to vote on the project. Each property owner would have one vote for each acre of land within the project. If approved, the costs of the drainage network would then be divided by the number of acres in the project and assessed to the landowners.

The board also scheduled a special meeting with the water resource boards of Griggs and Barnes counties for 10 a.m. Nov. 15 at the Stutsman County Law Enforcement Center. The boards plan to discuss water problems that cross county lines and affect all three entities.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at 701-952-8452 or by email at knorman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, water