Josh Hassell, P.E. of Moore Engineering of Fargo ND recapped design progress on the Ten Mile Lake drainage project at the Dazey Community Hall. Photo: Wimbledon Newsletter

DAZEY, N.D. (Wimbledon Newsletter) – About 50 were in attendance at the March 30th Ten Mile Lake update in Dazey.

In the Spring of 2020, 40 land-owners, 6 townships, and 2 towns had pooled their money, and petitioned the Barnes county Water Resource Dist. to lower the level of Ten Mile Lake in northwestern Barnes County to its historical high of 1430 ft with an additional 2 foot drain down in the autumn. In July 2020 the water level was 1435 feet and Dazey had on-going flooding issues. Despite a dry fall and a winter with very little snow, the lake level was still high at 1434 ft in January 2021.

Those in attendance at the July 2020 meeting expressed their preference for a north routing past Dazey and into Bald Hill Creek (and Lake Ashtabula).

Josh Hassell, Moore Engineering, reported that the preliminary design was now complete. Total project cost is estimated to be $5.6 million. The March 30 meeting was intended to be the final informational meeting before landowners would vote. Local cost to be paid across the 60,160 direct assessment acres would be $3.41 million. Eligible for state cost share is $1.66 million; County and Dept. of Transportation obligations would be $530 thousand.

He also explained the assessment voting process. Ballots would be mailed to the address on the county tax records, and they would show the value to be assessed for each parcel. Each dollar of assessment equals one vote. The project would move forward if the simple majority of the returned votes approves. In cases where more than one person owns a parcel – such as siblings or husband & wife – all parties must sign the ballot.

Voting is expected to take place in June or July. If the project obtains landowners’ approval, the permitting process would then begin. Land acquisition (for channels, wetland mitigation) might begin this fall. Construction might begin as early as Spring 2022 with the drainage operational in 2023.

Water quality (maximum sulfate level) would determine when the drainage gates could be open. Therefore, choosing a northern route into Bald Hill Creek/Lake Ashtabula vs. a southern route into the Sheyenne River will potentially allow Ten Mile Lake more days to operate. Open channels move water more efficiently, and they were therefore chosen over pipelines so that Ten Mile Lake water moves quickly when it is allowed to operate.