BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Several federal agencies are forming a group to tackle Devils Lake flooding problems.
North Dakota's congressional delegation asked that the group be formed. The delegation said Monday that the federal budget director will be in charge.
Devils Lake has risen almost 30 feet since the early 1990s. It has quadrupled in size, flooded thousands of acres of farmland and made it necessary to raise roads throughout the region.
The group will be looking at several issues, including ways to pump more water out of the lake and protect the city of Minnewaukan on the lake's western edge.
The lake is almost 1,452 feet above sea level. If it rises to 1,458 feet, water will start flowing from the lake's east end to the Sheyenne River and cause problems downstream.
