(Des Moines)– Responding to a request from the Dickinson county board of supervisors and Emergency Management, Governor Chet Culver Wednesday requested the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cut a controlled breach in 230th Avenue, or the road at the Lower Gar Outlet.
In a letter, Culver says he’s requesting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers use their emergency authorities to take the action, which he says would prevent millions of dollars in damage and allow for a controlled release of water from the Iowa Great Lakes.
Officials say the breach is expcted to cause minor flooding downstream on the Little Sioux River. There has been no reaction so far from those communities.
In 1993 flooding in the Iowa Great Lakes caused 39 million dollars in damage to homes, businesses and public utilities. Allowing for inflation, the Governor’s office says that number would be more than 57 million dollars today.
A news release from the Governor’s Office says the work is expected to begin immediately.
The Milford city council met in special session Wednesday evening to discuss the matter, but no action was taken.
