Next month, the Burleigh County Water Resource District board will hold a brainstorming session regarding diversion of Missouri water to Apple Creek.

The water board, which met Wednesday, has been considering the diversion for several months. It arose through discussion about providing another source of water for the McDowell Dam recreation area east of Bismarck.

The drainage basin for McDowell is woefully inadequate and creates problems for both water quality and quantity. The water in Apple Creek is of about the same quality, but will provide a means of stabilizing lake levels. By diverting Missouri water from the McClusky Canal to Apple Creek, the water quality will see significant improvement.

A similar project proposed in the later 1980s met with a lot of resistance and was eventually dropped.

Board member Rynee Kellar said he had reviewed the reports from the meetings held in the 1980s and early 1990s about bringing water from the Missouri. He said that they provided a lot of good information.

"If I had read that stuff a year ago, I might have had different thoughts today. There were a lot of impressive people on the committee, and the project was shut down unanimously," Kellar said. "There was a lot of good stuff in those reports. A lot of opposition came from those living at the headwaters."

Kellar suggested that perhaps the district should be looking at a direct diversion from the Missouri rather than using the canal and Apple Creek, even though it might cost more money.

Water board chairman Gailen Narum said that, at that time, the McClusky Canal was the focal point of a lot of turmoil and the political climate was much different.

"But it's still going to take a pretty aggressive plan to do this, and it won't be an inexpensive project if after our brainstorming session we decide to pursue it," Narum said.

It was explained that the diversion of Missouri water to Apple Creek and diverting water from Apple Creek to McDowell are separate issues. The water board continues to pursue bringing water to McDowell from Apple Creek.

Water board consulting engineer Mike Gunsch said that should Missouri water be brought into the equation, it will allow a bigger window to provide a supply for McDowell.

To bring water to McDowell, a 10-inch PVC pipe providing a flow of 10 cfs will be used during a 35- to 60-day period during the spring. If the Apple has Missouri water, diversions to McDowell could be held at different times of the year and for longer periods.

The water district is going through the process of getting a permit. The board reviewed a water supply scope of engineering services provided by Gunsch representing Houston Engineering.

Phase one involves four tasks, including water quality investigation, land rights acquisition, preliminary design and regulatory issues. Cost is estimated at $24,800. Phase two will encompass final design and construction administration-investigation. These costs will be projected at the end of phase one.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)