02.29.24

Hoeven Presses Corp to Prevent Flooding from Ice Jams Along Missouri River

Update: Senator Hoeven continues to monitor the flooding with the Corps. The latest reading at the Bismarck gauge above the ice jam is 15.1 feet, which has remained the same over the last several hours. The flow below the ice jam at the Mandan and Schmidt gauges indicates that more water is getting through the ice jam, a good sign that water continues to move. Senator Hoeven will continue to monitor progress with the Corps of Engineers.

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today pressed John Remus, Chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to address flooding from ice jams along the Missouri River in the Bismarck-Mandan region. Hoeven emphasized to Remus that the Corps needs to take immediate steps to respond to ice jams that are starting to cause flooding in the area.

                Remus told Hoeven that water levels are peaking and the Corps is watching to see if they go down, and the senator is staying in contact with the Corps to continue monitoring the levels. Remus also indicated that the Corps has reduced releases from the Garrison Dam to a daily average of 22,000 cfs, and will follow up with another reduction tomorrow to 19,000 cfs. Remus said the Corps is reducing flows gradually in order to try and prevent creating additional ice jams.

“I spoke with Chief Remus to ensure that the Corps takes immediate steps to address rising water levels given the ice jams on the Missouri River,” said Hoeven. “The Corps committed to lower releases from Garrison Dam to help mitigate flooding and we’ll continue pressing the Corps to keep the public informed of their actions going forward. We appreciate the efforts of local and state officials and are also working with them to prevent flooding and keep our communities safe.”

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