Managing the Mighty Mouse | Video

Amy Fox | 8/2/2012

The sound of rushing water is all too familiar for those living near the Mouse River Basin.

"It`s one thing to read about things in the newspapers and magazines,” said Angela Magstad, North Dakota Magazine Editor. “But it`s another thing to come and experience it first hand."

For people like Bismarck resident Mary Blumle, images from last year`s flood were brought to life today, during the "Managing the Mighty Mouse" tour.

“We`re anxious to see what`s been done and what is gong to be done by the state, federal, and local governments to help recover."

The first stop on the itinerary: the Mouse River Park. During the tour, local officials and leaders took time to educate the community about what happened last summer along the Mouse River.

“[The water level] it was only 1601 because where we`re releasing, you know, 28,000-29,000 cfs’, we were draining the water out as fast as we could as fast as we were getting it in,” said Duane Anderson, Upper Souris Valley Wildlife Refuge Biological Technician. “Had we not been able to, you know, release that much water. It would have done significant higher a lot quicker we could have even had some problems with the water over topping the dam."

With the flood behind Minot, many are trying to learn from the tragedy.

"The city of Minot is undertaking several initiatives right now,” said Ackerman-Estvold Engineer Ryan Ackerman. "Of course, we have the original preliminary engineering report that identified the project that actually protects against a flood of 27,400 cfs’, which was the peak full that was experienced in Minot. Right now, they are looking at other options, looking at different flow ranges combined with potentially management or modifications to Lake Darling."

While there are many different ideas on the table right now, people, like Blumle, are staying optimistic about the future of the Mouse River.

"I`m impressed what the local authorities are doing and with their knowledge and the work they`re doing to bring about a rapid recovery," said Blumle.

Only time will tell what will happen along the Mouse River. But we can only hope there will never be a flood like 2011.

If you missed the tour, The North Dakota Water Education Foundation will host two more tours on August 15 and September 6.

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