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As first reported by the Jamestown Sun, The Stutsman County Commission unanimously approved a $40,000 budget increase on Tuesday for a feasibility study on moving water from western basins and Crystal Springs Lake, bringing the total to $262,000. Mike Gunsch of Houston Engineering explained that with State Water Commission approval in June, the state would cover $18,000 of the new costs while the county would pay $22,000. The study, now extended to July, will evaluate benefits of removing excess water, flooding sources, and options to move water west to the Missouri River, north to Wells County, or east toward Pipestem Creek. The largest budget increase ($29,500) covers groundwater influence review, as rising lake levels can’t be explained by surface water alone. The commission also approved sending a letter to Kidder County addressing concerns about downstream impacts, assuring them that culvert capacity is being assessed and significant roadway modifications aren’t anticipated.
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