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Drawdown of Sand Lake in second month [UPDATED]
Published 9:52am Thursday, June 30, 2011 Updated 11:53am Thursday, June 30, 2011Last month work was completed for a piping system to draw down water from Sand Lake, north of Pelican Rapids, along Highway 59. A short while later the outlet and pumping system became operational. Water flows southward into the Pelican River and from there enters Prairie Lake, northeast of Pelican Rapids.
Earlier this year the Minnesota Department of Transportation invited area residents and landowners to a public meeting to review possible Sand Lake outlet alternatives. As the water in Sand Lake continued to rise, MnDOT looked at ways to protect Highway 59 from future flooding.
In the end, area residents agreed to create an outlet for the lake. Through a study of the area around Sand Lake, MnDOT and Houston Engineering identified alternative outlet options.
Prairie Lake residents were assured that the piping of water into their lake would have no adverse effects. State officials say that pipeline screening and filtering at both Sand and Prairie lakes prevents unwanted material from flowing from Sand Lake into Prairie Lake. The screening also prevents bullheads and invasive species from entering Prairie Lake.
Funding for the $800,000 project comes from the MnDOT budget.
Dunn Township officials have other benefits from the outlet, in addition to preventing flooding of Highway 59. Water levels at Sand Lake and surrounding marshes will be lowered, in turn reducing flooding along township roads. The pumping station will be permanent.
Tags: high water
