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(NewsDakota.com) Representatives of the Ad Hoc Downstream Group, People to Save the Sheyenne and private citizens expressed concerns over the state’s use of outlets into the Sheyenne River as a drain for Devil’s Lake water.

During a meeting with Governor Dalrymple on April 18, the groups cited increased flood risk, bank erosion, disregard for aquatic life and water quality in the Sheyenne River.               

The groups requested to delay construction of the proposed West Stump Lake Gravity Flow Outlet due to dry weather.

Ad Hoc Downstream Group coordinator Madeline Luke said,  Governor Dalrymple indicated that he supports the gravity outlet because, the “state would like to get out of the pumping business”.  

The West end outlet and nearly complete East end outlet have a combined pumping capacity of 600 cubic feet per second and will cost $550,000 monthly to operate.
Luke said, using a West Stump Lake Gravity flow outlet will drain the worst quality water into the Sheyenne River referring to higher sulfate levels.    

The group advocated wetland restoration as a method of preventing water from reaching Devil’s Lake.