North Dakota National Guard fights ice jams on Missouri River in Bismarck-Mandan area

BISMARCK, ND – (KFGO) – The Missouri River levels near Bismarck-Mandan have dropped significantly since Thursday afternoon when the North Dakota National Guard launched an aerial operation in response to a major ice jam near Fox Island and the Heart River confluence south of Bismarck.

The ice jam caused the Missouri River levels to rise rapidly Wednesday and Thursday, flooding low-lying areas along the shoreline. Governor Burgum signed an executive order declaring an emergency for Burleigh and Morton counties and activated the North Dakota State Emergency Operations Plan.

Two North Dakota National Guard UH-60 Black Hawks were activated. Each helicopter was equipped with a Bambi Bucket system, capable of holding 660 gallons of river water which was then repeatedly dropped onto the ice. Around 6 p.m. the river level peaked at 15.45 feet, almost a foot above minor flood stage and the ice started to move down the river. Over 70,000 gallons of water were dropped in 4 hours.

In a meeting Thursday night, Governor Burgum stressed the need to keep restricting flows from Garrison Dam until the threat of ice jam flooding ended in Bismarck-Mandan and other areas downstream.