Looking for ways to drain Lake Ann

Pelican Rapids, Minn. (WDAY TV) - Homeowners living along Highway 108 near Pelican Rapids are still fighting for answers. As we first told you, the road and driveways in front of some homes are covered in about a foot of water. Despite talks with the state and county officials, a permanent solution is a long way out; WDAY 6 Reporter Stephanie Goetz has our story.

Mary Marty takes the scenic route to her house near Pelican Rapids; A drive that takes her nearly a mile out of her way, but not by choice.

"I had a little bit of access to the road at the end of March, and since then I've had none, so I've been going through my son's yard."

Because of a recent wet cycle, water started spilling over the highway and into fields from Lake Ann. Mary says the ongoing problem has become like a joke. Get this: just last month she put in this dock and bought this paddle boat to enjoy her new lake front property.

"20 years ago, the lake wasn't even within a half mile from the road."

"It's affecting the property owners and MN-DOT and we are an effected property owner just like the rest of them."

The temporary solution? MN-DOT will raise the highway and driveways four feet this fall. But issues remain on the long term answer. The county wants to drain Lake Ann.

"If we provide an outlet for this lake at a certain elevation, the lake will no longer continue to rise and continue to flood the road or private property."

"I wish they would drain Gryna Lake because that's where the water's coming from."

Local lawmakers are dealing with a state road and a county road so they have to work with each other to designate funding and who works on which part of the solution. Right now, homeowners will be able to use their road after the MN-DOT project is finished this fall. But that may only last for a few years.

"I do like the water, but I'd rather have a field there instead."

In a couple of months, the county is starting a temporary solution; a drainage project of Dead Man Lake about a mile away, which will drain some water off Lake Ann.