MINOT, N.D. (AP) - The Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft environmental impact statement for the proposed Souris River flood protection project in Ward County that calls for several miles of new levees and floodwalls.
The new features would accommodate flows up to 27,400 cubic feet per second, which was the estimated flow during the damaging floods in Minot in 2011. The estimated cost of the plan is $589 million to $1 billion, the Minot Daily News (https://bit.ly/2fgUDtf ) reported.
The Army Corps is accepting public comments through Dec. 22. Comments received will be made available to the public.
The draft recommends a plan proposed by the Souris River Joint Board. It includes nearly 19 miles of new levees, nearly 3 miles of new floodwalls, two channel realignments totaling nearly 2 miles, and two high-flow bypass diversions.
The plan also includes 21 transportation closure structures, the reconstruction or modification of six bridges and 121 acres of overbank excavation. The average height of the flood protection would be nine to 14 feet along various stretches, and would have a maximum height of 27 feet.
The report also includes alternatives to creating more upstream storage and non-structural alternatives.
The estimated cost does not include the likelihood of cost escalation with further design and a construction period of more than 25 years, depending on funding.
Flooding along the Souris River caused by heavy spring snowmelt and rains swamped part of Minot in June 2011, damaging or destroying more than 4,000 homes and other structures.
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Information from: Minot Daily News, https://www.minotdailynews.com
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