In late June 2011, more than 10,000 people were evacuated from Minot as the Souris River breached dikes, destroying homes and businesses, resulting in millions of dollars in damages. It prompted many people to ask if the flood could have been prevented. Most of the dams and reservoirs that help manage water levels in the Souris Basin are in Canada.
The International Souris River Board follows water management guidelines outlined in a 1989 Joint Powers Agreement. The Lake Darling Dam is north of Minot in the Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge. As we learn in a discussion with Refuge Manager Tom Pabian, the dam was built for wildlife management, not flood control.
You can read more about water management, read plans of study, and follow virtual meetings at IJC.org.