Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Cabin owners along North Dakota's Lake Audubon angry at plans to lower lake

Cabin owners along North Dakota's Lake Audubon angry at plans to lower lake

Nov 16, 2006 - 09:59:58 CST

By the Associated Press

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Cabin owners are angry and frustrated with the Army Corps of Engineers decision to lower Lake Audubon by 3 feet to relieve pressure on an embankment along the highway between Audubon and its sister lake, Sakakawea, in the Missouri River system.

At stake, the corps says, is the safety of the Snake Creek embankment that carries U.S. Highway 83 and separates the two lakes.

Because Lake Sakakawea is so low and Audubon remains at its strictly regulated operating level, the difference in the water level in the two lakes is nearly 36 feet —a difference could add stress on the embankment, the corps says.

John Bertino, Chief of the Corps Engineering Division and dam safety officer, said the embankment is stable now, but the corps wants to reduce the difference between the lakes as a precaution. So the corps plans to move Lake Audubon water into Lake Sakakawea — a process that will take nearly two months to complete.

``Maybe they should have thought of the embankment problem when they were managing Lake Sakakawea. How can the solution to low water be to release more water?'' asked Audubon cabin owner Larry Louser

The corps called a hastily arranged meeting Tuesday in Garrison to discuss the issue, but told participants the drawdown of Lake Audubon was moving ahead. A coffer dam already has been built on the east side of Audubon so water that normally flows from Audubon into the McClusky Canal and the Chain of Lakes won't move back into Audubon.

``How can anyone like it?'' said Bill Lindell, an Audubon cabin owner. ``I'm not sure that North Dakota is getting a fair shake out of this. We had a meeting, but the call had already been made. We are just pawns in some sort of a plan that isn't going our way.''

Added fellow cabin owner Don Stokke: ``They planned on doing it. No matter about the meeting.''

Lakes downstream from Audubon — West Park, East Park, Hecker's and New John's — are popular fishing spots in the summer. They normally get water from Lake Audubon through the McClusky Canal, but coffer dam would prevent that.

At the Garrison meeting, the Corps said it would replenish Lake Audubon when and if Lake Sakakawea get enough runoff next spring.

Cabin owners worry that when the drawdown is complete, Lake Audubon will be left with only one operational boat ramp in the spring. They also worry that if Lake Audubon begins freezing over before the drawdown is complete, a dangerous gap would be created between cover ice and the actual water level.

``It makes no sense to me whatsoever,'' said Sue Ronnie, another Audubon cabin resident. ``The whole thing doesn't make sense.''

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Comments

Lost wrote on Nov 17, 2006 9:24 AM:

" To Jason, I think that is an up hill battle. It would have to be a pressurized water line. Although there should be talks on other places that the excess water at devils lake could be diverted too. "

Jason wrote on Nov 17, 2006 1:26 AM:

" Why not just tap a line from devil's lake water and run it into Lake Sakakawea and drain some of the water from there since they always have flooding problems, that will eliminate the water problems for devil's lake and will help Lake Sakakawea and put back more water then lake Audubon will not have to lose any water. "

Online Editor wrote on Nov 16, 2006 5:29 PM:

" To Lost: I love the lake, unfortunatley I do not own a cabin, just a tiny pop-up camper. "

Lost wrote on Nov 16, 2006 5:26 PM:

" I wish I could afford a lake cabin so I could have something to complain about. Recreation, recreation that is all that I have been hearing about. With these water levels so low. Most of the Dams around this state were build for one reason. Flood control of our cities. Recreation is the secondary issue. I like being on the water to, but we have to use some common sense. I would like to apologize to the online editor before hand if you have a cabin on the lake. "

also agree with wait wrote on Nov 16, 2006 4:40 PM:

" The lake was created to manage water flow not for recreation if the lake goes dry oh well, it is to stop flooding not to create a good place to put a cabin. There will be a time when the lake is full again. We are in a drought everybody can fill this not just the people that own cabins. "

I agree wrote on Nov 16, 2006 3:02 PM:

" I agree with wait. Perhaps if you didn't want the water levels to be lowered, you should have gotten a lake cabin somewhere else. this lake was made for a purpose and now all the self righteous cabin owners complain. go figure. "

Skottish wrote on Nov 16, 2006 2:56 PM:

" Yea the situation stink but what are you going to do? The A.C.o.E. are not the problem, drought is. However since it is human nature to blame something material the Engineers are the first in line to get blamed. Plus let’s hear about the positives, I bet Sakakawea cabin owners are happy, plus who knows maybe some feeder fish will actually survive in that lake now which will help fish health and reproduction. People just look at both sides. Drought stinks and hurts everyone, just try and be fair and even spread the pain instead of piling completely on one party. The only way we will get through this drought is if we are all willing to sacrifice a little. "

Wait wrote on Nov 16, 2006 12:55 PM:

" Every one has lost sight of why the lake was made in the first place. To help maintain constant water levels down stream. You say the corp is mismanaging but when they are doing their job of fighting lowering water level down stream by letting water out of the lake. And the drought around here hasn't helped water levels anyway. "

no kidding wrote on Nov 16, 2006 11:04 AM:

" I agree with the fact that the Corps is mismanaging the big lake. Our industries related to Lake Sakakawea are being seriously injured. But ya know...I think all these cabin owners need to realize that if the Corps doesn't lower Audubon what will happen to your embankment road? Hwy 83 is the main road to get to your little lake cabins! I think you need to complain about something else. Those of us who can't afford your fancy lake cabins are sick of hearing your complaints! "

Not an engineer wrote on Nov 16, 2006 10:50 AM:

" I'm no engineer but I don't see anything wrong with doing preventative maintenance. The low water level on Sakakawea is said and done and nothing will change that. Drawing the water down in Audubon makes perfect sense to me. What would you prefer they do, wait until the embankment is leaking from to much pressue on the Audubon side? "

Better yet wrote on Nov 16, 2006 10:49 AM:

" These clowns shouldn't be allowed to use the term "Army" in their name. That's a disservice to our real Army. They are the Corpse of Engineers, determined to kill every body of water between the Rockies and the Mississippi in the name of downstream political profiteering. "

What a joke wrote on Nov 16, 2006 10:17 AM:

" This is such a crock of bull!! I have no connection with Lake Sakakawea or Lake Audubon as far as recreation goes - I don't live close enough but you just got to laugh at what the Corp does anymore. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the Corp is doing this to cover their backsides for their continued mismangagement of Lake Sakakawea!! This is government bureaucracy at its best. No wonder people lose confidence and respect for government officials. If you ask me the Corp has way too much power and it seems they aren't accountable to anyone or anything. They should change their names to the Army Corp of Looney Tunes! "

Have Faith wrote on Nov 16, 2006 10:12 AM:

" Trust the Corps and the Water Commission. They really do have your best interests in mind. NOT!!! "

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