SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - Practice makes perfect and city crews held an exercise this morning installing a temporary flood wall closing the berm around Dunham Park at Skunk Creek.
Stormwater Manager Andy Berg says flooding on Skunk Creek is primarily caused by heavy rain. Berg says that includes heavy rain in Brant Lake that comes to Sioux Falls down the creek and that gives city crews about six hours to get the gates up.
Berg says the city has six gates that can be installed to minimize major river flooding. The city and the Corp of Engineers constructed a flood control system of levees, a diversion dam, a confluence dam, spillway and temporary flood walls.
Sioux Falls flood control system took twelve years to build at a cost of $62 million.
Berg says its essential that city teams practice and are familiar with the tasks needed for the operation of the system.
Emergency Manager Regan Smith emphasizes that there is not a current flood threat to Sioux Falls, this was only a drill.