By Jean Schlegel 

Valley City farmer LeRoy Triebold told Barnes County commissioners Tuesday he wants to raise awareness about Stump Lake and lake levels at Devils Lake. He is concerned about the potential of a Tolna Coulee overflow.
“I’ve been watching this thing for about seven years and watching that water level come up, and this is the first time I’m sounding the alarm,” Triebold said.
Triebold took Commissioner John Froelich on a tour of the area in August. Triebold went to Devils Lake eight times this spring.
The only thing between Stump Lake and the Tolna Coulee is a little strip of land about one-eighth mile long, Triebold said.
“That’s all that stands between Stump Lake and the Tolna Coulee,” he said.
North Dakota Department of Health officials have said that if the Tolna Coulee were to overflow, it would flow into the Sheyenne River, with adverse effects.
Triebold showed commissioners aerial pictures his friend took of the area and how water has risen. He showed other pictures and gave his opinions about the dangers of a Tolna Coulee overflow.
“I don’t think Valley City has seen a flood yet, if this blows out,” Triebold said. He believes the Tolna Coulee needs to be safeguarded now – not later.
Froelich said he appreciates what Triebold is doing so the North Dakota Water Commission is aware of it. He added that an overflow wouldn’t just affect Valley City, but Fargo as well.
Froelich said the state Water Commission has said if the Tolna Coulee washed out, it would potentially bring 14,000 cubic feet per second of water down the Sheyenne River. There was 6,500 cfs coming out of Baldhill Dam this spring.

For full story, see the 10/21/2009 edition of the Valley City Times-Record.