Public Forum on Devils Lake: Manitoba's Ticking Time Bomb

Monday November 16th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall at the University of Winnipeg there will be a PUBLIC FORUM on Devils Lake: Manitoba's Ticking Time Bomb. All are invited.

There is a very serious reason why, today, we need to reassess Manitoba's approach to Devils Lake. Small, ad hoc measures are no longer enough. We must confront the reality that, if nothing is done, within the next three to six years Devils Lake is very likely to overflow in a major way - unleashing a torrent of up to 12,000 cubic feet per second of water through Stump Lake into the Sheyenne River and on into the Red River and Lake Winnipeg. Efforts to prevent fish and biota coming into Lake Winnipeg will be blown away in a torrent of water.

Why is this likely to happen? Starting in about 1993, the water level of Devils Lake has risen progressively so that the level is now some 28 feet above what it was in 1993. In this last year the water rose three and a half feet. Since Devils Lake does not ordinarily have an outlet, the only way the water level decreases is through evaporation, or through a small artificial outlet at the west end of Devils Lake (picture 4 above) through which water can flow at 100 cubic feet per second to the Sheyenne River. This year these factors have decreased the water level by only half a foot so there has been a net gain of three feet.

Presently the water level is at 1450 feet above sea level. At the point where the water level reaches 1458 feet, there will be an overflow through Stump Lake into the Sheyenne River. This overflow will occur through an ancient channel. When water starts to flow through this channel, the base of the channel (silt) will erode and very quickly, the channel will enlarge and quite quickly the flow may grow to a large volume (presently estimated at 12,000 cubic feet per second), causing a large flood on the Sheyenne River and associated problems downstream in the Red River and into Lake Winnipeg.

If the water continues to rise at the rate it rose this last year, the 1458 level could be reached as early as three to four years. If the level rises at the same rate as since 1993, it will be reached in about 6 years. In whatever scenario, this time frame is coming all too quickly and there is an imperative for action now.

Joe Belford, Ramsay County Commissioner, will present details of the scenario, and this will be followed by time for questions and an open discussion of options. Come and listen to Joe Belford and join in contributing to a better understanding of this important situation and what needs to be done for the benefit of both Manitoba and North Dakota.

Photos above show how Devils Lake waters have flooded the landscape. The road, now impassable, in the top photo where my wife Naomi and I are standing, was as I understand it raised three times, until it was virtually impossible to raise it any more, and an alternative route had to be found. Devils Lake has flooded roads (second from top), homes and farms (third and fourth from top - note the cattails growing on what was a lawn and what was the farmyard). The bottom photo shows Stump Lake in the area near where the water will overflow into the Sheyenne River if the level surpasses 1458 feet above sea level.

Join us for a free video presentation regarding the rising water levels on Devils Lake and why all Manitobans should be concerned about this potential environmental disaster. Presentation will be followed by a Q & A session with: Mr. Joe Belford, Commissioner for Ramsey County, North Dakota and Devils Lake Expert. Date: Monday, November 16, 2009, Time: 7:00 p.m.Place: Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, University of Winnipeg For more information please contact the Manitoba Liberal Party office at 988-9380.