Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Gov. John Hoeven announced the formation of the Missouri River Task Force, which includes 16 members from state, federal and local agencies, tribes, water users and others interested in preserving the river.

Conrad said one of the main problems the river faces is 92,500 acre-feet of sediment entering the river each year.

That much sediment amounts to 1 square mile filled 140 feet high with mud.

"The amount of silt and sediment buildup in the Missouri River is staggering," Conrad said. "This buildup can threaten drinking water supplies and cause flooding. We must respond to this growing problem, and our task force will spearhead that effort."

Low water levels combined with silt caused the water intake at Fort Yates to clog in 2003, leaving thousands without water until the sediment was removed.

Silt also has caused the water table to rise in the Buford-Trenton Irrigation District near Williston, resulting in farmland being flooded.

The task force was created in 2000 but wasn’t funded until recently.

Conrad said he has secured $188,000 to fund expenses of the task force, but the $25 million included in 2000 would have to be reauthorized if the task force recommends projects.

The members of the task force were appointed by Hoeven, who was on hand at the Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau, to make the announcement with Conrad.

Hoeven said, despite continued drought conditions, the lake managed to rise slightly in the past year because of conservation efforts, including a reduced navigation season downstream.

"With the right drought conservation, this can happen," Hoeven said of rising lake levels.

The water level at Lake Sakakawea was at 1,811 feet above sea level on Tuesday, which is 2.7 feet higher than the same time a year ago.

Col. Jeff Bedey, of the Army Corps of Engineers, will chair the task force.

Bedey said the first goal of the task force, which meets in May, will be to complete an assessment of the river.

One way to help improve the conditions along the river is to dredge silt from some areas and move the silt to create sandbars for wildlife habitat in other areas.

Ron His Horse is Thunder, chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, said silt is still threatening the water intake at Fort Yates.

"You can move that sand anywhere you want to, but dredge this out first, please," he told Bedey. (published Feb. 22, 2006)