Rising water levels in the Missouri River are impacting Bismarck, N.D., marina businesses that have had to deal with inundated docks and problems with power.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers increased water releases in June from the Garrison Dam from 52,000 cubic feet per second to 60,000. The releases have caused the Missouri River to be faster and stronger, carrying large debris. The river was at just over 13 feet as of noon on June 29, the Bismarck Tribune reported.
“It’s just a constant battle right now,” said Larry Haisely, co-owner of Misty Waters Marina in Bismarck.
He said every dock at the marina has been modified, with extended ramps and docking to accommodate customers. Some have had to wade through water to their boats, which Haisley said isn’t ideal but necessary as the marina works quickly to make repairs.
“It’s definitely affected business,” he said. “People are a little bit skeptical about going out on the river. I’ve been out, and actually it’s not bad. People just have to be observant of debris moving down the river.”
Information from the corps about rising water levels has been “somewhat lax,” Haisley said, adding that he doesn’t expect the water levels to decrease soon.
“I really believe it’s going to be high all summer,” he said. “The marina, we can live with this right now, but probably another 6 inches and we’re going to have to shut the marina down.”
Topics Missouri
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