(Spirit Lake)– A public hearing on whether or not culverts at the Lower Gar Outlet should be replaced with a bridge was the topic of a public hearing that went on for an hour and-a-half at today’s (Tues.) Dickinson County Board of Supervisor’s meeting.
In his presentation, County Engineer Dan Eckert eluded to a study by the Corps of Engineers following the 1993 flood. It suggests that even with the improvements made since then, the level of West Lake Okoboji drops slower during heavy rains than other lakes in the chain.
Lynn Wallace was the county’s Civil Defense Director in 1993. He voiced opposition today (Tues.) to the bridge proposal, saying he feels the improvements made in 1993 are adequate; and that the chance of another flood of that magnitude happening again anytime soon are slim to none. Bridge opponents are also concerned over any impacts there may be downstream on the Little Sioux River.
Irving Jensen owns a home on West Lake Okoboji along with a construction firm that helped install some of the flood control devices in 1993. He spoke in favor of the bridge concept, saying the culverts installed in ’93 don’t drop the levels fast enough. He feels the county could be held liable in the event of another flood because it changed the flow of the lakes.
The supervisors took the hearing under advisement, saying they want to consult with the County Attorney regarding the liability issue.
The cost of the bridge is estimated at 300-thousand dollars. The county would pay 200-thousand dollars while the Iowa Department of Transportation has agreed to chip in the other 100-thousand.
