BISMARCK (KFGO) – Gov. Doug Burgum is traveling to northeastern North Dakota Monday to survey flooding and meet with local leaders on flood response, including efforts to stabilize the Bourbanis Dam upstream of Cavalier.
The governor and other state officials will visit with leaders from Grafton and Cavalier about the impacts of severe flooding.
Last week, the North Dakota National Guard helped stabilize the Bourbanis Dam by using two Black Hawk helicopters to place more than 200 1-ton sandbags over two days.
On Friday, the Minnesota National Guard also responded to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact request from North Dakota, providing a Chinook helicopter that strategically placed two 5-ton water pumps capable of pumping 4,000 gallons per minute to relieve pressure on the dam.
Burgum declared a statewide emergency on April 25 after severe spring storms April 22-24 brought heavy rains and snowmelt that swelled creeks and rivers within the Sheyenne and Red River basins.
The emergency declaration sets the stage for requesting a presidential disaster declaration, which if granted would unlock FEMA public assistance to help cities, counties, and townships pay for the cost of repairs to utilities, roads, and other infrastructure.
Pembina County State’s Attorney Rebecca Flanders issued a statement Monday morning updating the situation on the dam.
“As a result of pumping efforts over the weekend, levels at Bourbanis Dam have dropped approximately 1.6 feet since late Friday night and is currently off the damaged spillway,” Flanders said. “Levels are expected to fluctuate as rain moves through the area this week and may return flow onto the spillway depending on rain amounts. Rain may also create challenges to transporting the necessary fuel to the site for the pumping operations. The efforts to remove the tower cover were unsuccessful on Saturday. Access to Bourbanis Dam is restricted to authorized personnel on official business only. The area is closed to the public due to the sensitive nature of the repair and continued risk. People driving around road closed signs or entering the flood control property will be subject to criminal prosecution. The remaining Tongue River dams are performing as designed and levels will be monitored closely. Pembina County Emergency Management and Pembina County Water Board will continue updating as needed.”