ND officials preparing 2 new Devils Lake outlets

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota's Water Commission has approved initial construction of a Devils Lake outlet that will draw water from the lake's east bay.

The commission approved more than $13 million worth of contracts for pipes, pumps and land acquisition costs for the project.

The Water Commission has also agreed to explore building a second water outlet from neighboring Stump Lake.

It would allow water to flow naturally through the Tolna Coulee, and eventually into the Sheyenne River. A control structure would be built on the coulee to regulate the flow.

Devils Lake residents have pushed for the so-called gravity-flow outlet through the Tolna Coulee as a way of diverting more flood water from the lake.

The idea has drawn protests because of the high sulfate content of Stump Lake water.

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