South Moorhead family gets started on flood protection wall

They've been here before, pounding nails, carrying loads of lumber at the Brian Witthoeft home in South Moorhead, preparing to build another back breaking wooden wall. This year it is a monster.

“We will have 6-8 guys and we will need it. We are going to an 8-foot wall.”

It is not only 8-feet tall, but at least 150-feet long and for good reason. The pictures we have show and ice ring above that ladder and the branch that goes off this way. Using particle board, 2x6's, 2x12's and plastic, the Witthoefts hope to hold back the Red again.

“Hope to be retired pros from this pretty quick.”

“Invigorating I guess. It is stressful and you gotta do it.”

Sadly, they are getting good at this.

“4th flood fight in 10-years.”

And it takes a toll, but what are the options.

“We need to protect our property we have an investment here like everyone else.”

The family hopes their home will make the cut when it comes to a buyout. Until then, a pile of plywood, a fortress, this mega wall will be called on one last time to keep the river out.

The Witthoefts will wait until the ground thaws before putting down plastic. A next door neighbor also puts up a wall. The two homeowners connect the walls for a flood wall fortress.

Tags: reporter stories, kevin wallevand, home, flood, moorhead, construction