The Souris River was dropping in Minot Monday, a very slow but welcome decline.
Muddy high water marks could be seen on several homes on Minot's west edge at mid-morning Monday, lasting evidence of the wicked work of the swollen Souris. According to the National Weather Service and the most current release schedule quoted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the slow drop should continue for several more days. When the flood waters will recede enough for residents to return to their vacated homes is not yet clear.
The amount of water being released from Lake Darling Dam was reduced to 21,000 cubic feet per second Monday, a decrease of 2,000 cfs. According to the Corps, releases are to be decreased in 1,000 and 2,000 cfs increments for several days until the river finds its way back into its customary channel.
Article Photos
Kim Fundingsland/MDN • The amount the water dropped from Sunday’s peak was visible on this home in the Perkett School area at mid-morning Monday. Many houses in the area bore similar stain marks courtesy of the Souris River.
The level of Lake Darling was 1,600.89 feet late Monday and declining very slightly. Inflow above Lake Darling at the Sherwood gauge registered 19,800 cfs early Monday evening and the river level at that location was falling.
A total of 26,200 cfs was recorded at Bakers Bridge late Monday. Further downstream, at the Boy Scout Bridge just west of Minot, the reading was 25,700 cfs. It should be noted that high water flows can sometimes skew river readings. Minot's Broadway Bridge was at an elevation of 1,561.55 late Monday. Again, that level revealed a slight decrease from the crest that passed through the city Sunday.