Minnesota Guard Assists at Lake LaMoure, ND with Emergency Operations

Operations continued after 3 a.m.

April 17, 2009

Around 1:30 a.m. on April 17, while there was a lull in CH-47 Chinook helicopter operations, UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters went into action near LaMoure, N. D.

The Blackhawks began picking up and hauling dozens of one-ton sandbags, one at a time, to an emergency spillway. The spillway is part of a dam and reservoir named Lake LaMoure, located in Southeastern North Dakota. Recent melting snow caused high water levels in the reservoir, which is part of Cottonwood Creek, a tributary to the James River.

Local LaMoure officials tasked the Minnesota and North Dakota Army National Guards to assist in slowing water erosion of the spillway of Lake LaMoure. They also diverted water away from critical areas of the spillway by digging a diversion trench. This was done to prevent erosion through the spillway to the reservoir, which might have proved disastrous because of the sudden release of vast amounts of reservoirs water.

The 96 Minnesota Army National Guard Soldiers from A Co., 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry, based out of West St. Paul, were deployed to the LaMoure area under the authority an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) with North Dakota. This mutual aid compact, which is given at the authority from Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, is designed for Minnesota National Guard assets to provide civil authorities support for flood fighting operations. This is the first time the Minnesota National Guard has deployed to North Dakota under this mutual aid compact.

The 2-135 Soldiers provided dike and roving patrols in the town of LaMoure along with traffic control points on area roads where needed.

“The major focus is to restabilize and reinforce local efforts,” said Sgt. 1st Class Stephen Sarvi, an acting first sergeant for the mission. “We are here to provide a quick reaction to any problems.”

Soldiers from Alpha Co. assisted county officials slowing the erosion of the spillway at Lake Lamoure. The Soldiers had staged one-ton sandbags on a local road for use in the spillway. They then procured lighting for 24 hour operations at the staging area and spillway area and worked alongside local authorities to create a sandbag line.

Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk (sprin-suh-NAT'-ick), adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard, arrived on the scene the evening of April 16. Sprynczynatyk facilitated communications and assisted with logistical issues that arose that night at Lake LaMoure.

Shortly after dusk on April 16, a C-47 Chinook helicopter from the 34th Combat Aviation Brigade flew to the Lake Lamoure spillway hauling a stack of 2,600 pound concrete mats beneath it. The Chinook made several trips, carrying a new load each time. Late in the evening, while the Chinook was at the Lamoure landing strip for refueling, an excavator operator began to place the mats on the bank and bottom of the spillway. Meanwhile, two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters, from the Bismarck-based 2-285 Assault Battalion of the North Dakota Army National Guard, commenced operations moving one ton sandbags to the spillway. Minnesota Soldiers staged the sandbags at intervals along the road. As a Blackhawk returned to the staging area, a pair of Soldiers on the ground would guide the line to the sand bag and hook it up. The helicopter then made its way from the sandbag-laden road to the eroding spillway to deposit the sandbag to where it was guided to. These operations, along with more Chinook concrete mat deliveries, continued after 3 a.m. on the morning of April 17.

The afternoon of April 17 showed the efforts of the previous night, including sandbags, crushed rock and concrete mats being placed in the emergency spillway. Lake LaMoure engineers, along with the Army National Guard, had bought some time.

Tsgt Brett R. Ewald • 148th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
April 17, 2009

April 16, 2009: Minnesota Guard Flood Fight Efforts near Lake LaMoure, N.D. - Low-Res