Commission discusses potential flood impact, more at Tuesday meeting
The chance of flooding in Codington County remains moderate, according to information provided at Tuesday’s meeting of county commissioners.
Commissioners Lee Gabel and Troy VanDusen are both members of the local Incident Command System (ICS), an organization of 25 members tasked with monitoring potential flooding in the county. The ICS includes individuals from the county, the City of Watertown and State of South Dakota. VanDusen is the ICS public information officer.
VanDusen said there’s a 90 percent chance the Big Sioux River level will reach 11 feet at a monitoring station located south of the intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and Broadway Street. If that happens, city residents should expect some flooding along 4th Avenue Southwest, Kemp Avenue near the river and portions of 10th Avenue North near the river.
A representative of the National Weather Service in Aberdeen advised the ICS that there are 5 to 8 inches of water in the Big Sioux River watershed north of Watertown, and this week’s blizzard could add another one-half to three-quarters inch. Compared to the 2019 flooding in Watertown, the NWS also reported the soil is currently in better condition to accept moisture, thereby reducing some of the flooding potential.
“There’s no need to cry wolf at this time, but we are closely watching the situation because of the amount of snow up north,” VanDusen said.
The commissioners heard from and approved an offer from South Shore Mayor Jamie Dolen.
Due to unpaid taxes, the county took possession of 2 lots in South Shore. Dolen said the lots had been vacant for 20 years, and the community had removed a dilapidated building and maintained the lots at its own cost. Dolen said plans for the lots include possible new housing.
The South Shore City Council approved an offer of $1,026.24 for the lots and payment of recording fees. The county commissioners first had to approve a motion to declare the property as surplus and then approved a motion to accept South Shore’s offer.
During department reports, Codi Martin of county community health said her office next month will begin offering Doxy.Me, a free telemedicine program. Martin said the Doxy.Me will allow face-to-face communication with individuals contacting the county health office via computer, tablet or cellphone.
Martin also received approval from commissioners for a Facebook account that will list information and resources offered by the county health office.
Also providing reports were Veterans Service Officer Todd Rose and 4-H Advisor Jodi Loehrer, who has completed 20 years in her position.
In other actions the commissioners:
• Decided to share the county’s $9,229.24 National Opioid Settlement payment among its welfare office, sheriff’s office and state’s attorney office. The settlement stated more than 100 ways in which the payment can be used.
• Allocated the final $38,456.38 American Relief Plan Act payment. ARPA has provided more than $4 million to the county.
• Noted that county offices and the courthouse will be closed Friday, April 7 and Monday, April 10 because of the Easter holiday.
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Commission discusses potential flood impact, more at Tuesday meeting
