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County considers measures to prevent flooding on 2 highways [UPDATED]
Published 11:08am Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Updated 11:13am Wednesday, November 28, 2012David Stock, a private landowner, discussed needs to address water levels in Otter Tail County sections 11 and 14. High water levels have caused flooding on highways 112 and 15.
Commissioner Lee Rogness said the county board wants to address water levels and avoid flooding. He asked Stock to summarize issues.
Stock said the Department of Fish and Wildlife has a wetland easement for the area for as high as the water goes in normal or abnormal conditions, which is pretty broad. Stock said Fish and Wildlife has agreed to a wetland easement at two feet below road grade. Stock would like to see it at five feet below the road grade, as the road grade has already been raised several times to avoid flooding.
County Engineer Rick West said the county has exhausted moving water to the south, and also it is problematic because water goes into a different watershed to the south. A new tile to manage the sections is recommended.
Rogness asked West for next steps.
“We need further discussion with Fish and Wildlife to see what can agree upon for a water drawdown,” said West. “The preliminary survey work is done. Permits would be the next step, then we would move on to construction. We are planning to resurface the road in 2013.”
