Souris River Basin Project | Video

Julie Leonardi | 3/20/2013

Representatives from the International Souris River Board were in Minot Wednesday afternoon. They gave residents the opportunity to give their input on a new study, and to possibly make changes on the current basin policy between the United States and Canada.

Colonel Michael Price conducted the meeting and asked for public comments on how they can improve a long term operating plan.

“We want to see if it’s working. We want to see if the hydraulics changed in the basin, and then make recommendations to change the plan if we need to.”

The study collaborates with all agencies and will implement a full scope study.

The study is based on two annexes. Annex A governs the operations of each of the reservoirs, and makes sure to provide 100 year flood protection. Annex B focuses on water supply, how much water Canada needs to hold, and how much they need to give to the United States.

A few people spoke up about what they would like to see in this new study. Mayor Curt Zimbelman hopes that the study helps with future flood protection. “We urge you to evaluate and produce a new operating plan that not only takes into consideration the spring snow melt and proper operating procedures during this time, but also takes into consideration abnormal rainfall during any time of the year.”

Governor Dalrymple met with the group before the meeting to discuss the study, as well as the spring river run-off. “This will be a manageable situation, the way things stand right now.”

Some technical parts of the study may be hard to understand, but the most important part is to make sure Minot is prepared in case of another disaster.

“We have very close communications with Saskatchewan, and we’re very aware of any changes and conditions there. We know exactly what’s happening with their reservoir pools, so we are really coordinated.”

For a look at the full study, visit http://ijc.org/boards/isrb/publications.

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