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N.D.–At this time of year, you would think that water wouldn’t be as big of an issue as it is.  Around a dozen storms have impacted our listening area recently, especially the northern part, causing more water to flow into the Jamestown and Pipestem Reservoirs.  Jerry Bergquist, Stutsman County Emergency Manager, said that in the last approximately 12 days Pipestem has come up 2 1/2 feet and Jamestown is up about a 1 1/2 feet.  The good news is that because the water is behind the dams, they are able to control the release through the city of Jamestown.  There is still room in those dams to take on more water.
The amount of water releases from the dams, a combined 1,800 cubic feet per second or CFS, is the maximum amount mandated by the Corps of Engineers.  In 2009 3,200 CFS was released, however that was done with special permission from the Corps.  Jamestown City Engineer Reed Schwartzkopf added that there were discussions early on in the year at the Corps level to deviate from the plans and increase the flow.  After talks, it was decided that this was not a correct instance to do so.
Schwartzkopf said they are still asking residents of Jamestown to continue to keep flows from homes into the sanitary sewer system at a moderate rate.  That system is still running at 2 1/2 to 3 times normal.
He added that residents should continue to keep floor drains plugged.