The Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project (MREFPP) is designed to provide flood relief to Mouse River valley residents – both urban and rural.  The project was originally initiated by the North Dakota State Water Commission (NDSWC) in response to a request for assistance from the Souris River Joint Board (SRJB) following the record-breaking Mouse River flood of June 2011.

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The first phase of the MREFPP included the development of a plan to reduce flood risk in the river valley from Burlington to Velva, and Mouse River Park, presented in the Preliminary Engineering Report (PER). This report describes in detail proposed improvements along the Mouse River to reduce flood risk in areas that are primarily developed or urban in nature. 

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In the latter stages of the development of the PER, the focus began to shift to the rural areas of the Mouse River valley. Basin-wide evaluations of erosion, sedimentation, hydraulics and hydrology were completed to begin to assess the basin-wide implication of improvements proposed in the valley. Additionally, an evaluation of 12 different alternatives for reducing flood risk for the rural reaches of the basin was completed.

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The focus of the MREFPP now shifts toward implementation. The SRJB has developed a long-range capital improvements program (through 2039) focused on rural and urban improvements throughout the Mouse River valley. The total estimated cost of this program, in 2022 dollars, is approximately $1 billion.

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Three phases (MI-1, MI-2, MI-3) of the project through Minot have been advanced, designed and permitted and construction began in 2018. Two sub-phases of these projects started construction in 2016 and have been completed. Phase MI-4 Maple Diversion has completed the utilities relocation and kick off meeting for design completion will happen in spring of 2022. The other phase through Minot, MI-1 4th Avenue & the Broadway pump station were completed in the fall of 2021, with a ribbon cutting on this huge milestone happening in the spring of 2022. Phase MI-5 is fully designed, bidding completed, and construction is expected to begin in spring of 2022. Phases MI-6 and MI-7 are in the design phase. The Burlington project has been broken into four phases. Construction on Phase BU-1A Colton Avenue Bridge Replacement was started in May of 2019 and was completed in 2020. The second phases, BU-1B and BU-1C, include an earthen levee system around the City of Burlington. Phase BU-1B was completed in 2021 and substantial completion was obtained in fall of 2021 on Phase BU-1C with a few punch list items to complete in the 2022 construction season. Phase BU-1D, which is centered around the Burlington Rec Center and Park Road was bid out in the winter of 2022 and will start construction in spring of 2022.  Phase WC-1A Tierrecita Vallejo was completed in fall of 2021 and the second phase WC-1B will begin construction in spring of 2022. The Sawyer, Velva and Mouse River Park bridge replacement projects are currently being designed.

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The StARR Program for rural property owners was implemented in 2016 and has been substantially completed.

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The chart below identifies projected PER project implementation dates and was developed as a part of the 2019 SWIF. Projects have fluctuated within that timeline since it was developed.

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