Senate lawmakers are discussing a measure which funds a hydrologic study of the lower Big Sioux River Basin in southeastern South Dakota. Tim Cowman is with the Department of Natural Resources. He says when flooding occurred in this region last year the state’s current hydrologic model predicted that flood waters would cover Interstate 29 in North Sioux City. Cowman says the Governor shut down the interstate and spent time and resources building a levy over the interest but the flood waters did not reach that far. Cowman says current models don’t accurately portray the hydrology of the lower Big Sioux River Basin. He says a new one is needed so appropriate preparations are made the next time flooding occurs.
"You don’t want to overestimate and you don’t want to underestimate," says Cowman, "You want to be as close to the target as possible so that you protect the property that needs to be protected but you don’t overspend resources in doing that."
Cowman says this measure is part of a three part plan to study the entire Big Sioux River Basin. Senate appropriators deferred action on House Bill 1188 until a later date.