The great success of the alum treatment of McDowell Dam hasn't dissuaded the Burleigh County Water Resource Board from finding another source of water for the lake.

Board consulting engineer Mike Gunsch said at Monday's meeting that the alum treatment has reduced the amount of phosphorus in the lake to less than .01 milligram per liter. This is compared with .3 in 2003 and .1 to .15 in 2006.

"It's usually at about .1 that you begin to worry about water quality," Gunsch said.

For the past several years , the water board, which owns the McDowell site, has recognized that the Hay Creek watershed does not provide an adequate supply of water to maintain the quality of McDowell. There has been some interest by the board in diverting water from Apple Creek.

A test in May of water in Apple Creek came up with a phosphorus content of .295 milligrams per liter.

"The water quality in Apple Creek was not what we hoped it would be," Gunsch said. "To make a diversion work, we would have to have a fall draw-down of McDowell and hope for a good spring runoff."

There is a possibility of pre-treatment of Apple Creek water, but Gunsch wasn't sure how much this would cost.

With the success of the alum treatment, Gunsch recommended that the water district hold off on a possible diversion project until the McDowell water deteriorated. He suggested a phosphorus level of .062 be set as a trigger to start the process of pursuing a Apple Creek diversion.

"There is no reason to actively pursue a diversion at this point, given the water quality in Apple Creek," Gunsch said. "With the alum treatment, it should take several years to reach the trigger point."

Board members Rynee Kellar and Terry Fleck said if the district can't find a method to recycle the water in McDowell, perhaps the district shouldn't keep the facility.

Water board chairman Ken Royse said that perhaps the district should continue the process and request a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers for the diversion.

"If you make an effort to get a permit, you better be willing to implement and pay for the solution or you will have to start all over," Gunsch said. "That's why you should put in a two- to three-year trigger."

But the board was of a consensus that it should begin the process leading to an Apple Creek diversion. Gunsch was asked to meet with environmental groups to discuss the possibility.

"You're asking me to prepare a game plan or action plan on how the process occurs," Gunsch said. "Figure out how the State Water Commission is involved and a possible chronology. What to do and how to get there."

Other possible water sources brought up by the board included digging wells to feed McDowell ground water and a possible diversion of Lake Sakakawea water via the McClusky Canal.

Both suggestions have serious roadblocks, according to Gunsch. The State Water Commission is opposed to the use of wells, and there are salinity and hard water issues to deal with. The McClusky Canal diversion is opposed by rural residents because of possible federal government regulation.

Board member Gailen Narum said that McDowell is an important recreational facility and provides an alternative to using the Missouri River for water sports. Narum and the other board members said they believe it is necessary to move forward on finding another source of water for McDowell.

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