Environmental Considerations

• Location– Quarter mile stretch along the banks of the

Mississippi river– Approximately 50 yards from the river bank

Location

• ¾ of the way between two dams on the r

• Cohasset & Grand Rapids

UPM/Blandin

Mississippi River

• Begins in Itasca State park – Travels north to Lake Bemidji – Proceeds south through lake Winnibigoshish

and others before reaching the dams in Cohasset and Grand rapids

Natural disaster

• Flood is a primary disaster concern to Blandin and the City of Grand Rapids

• In years of heavy winter snow accumulation the Mississippi may become over come by snow melt and spring time rain

• This comes to its first major stop in Grand Rapids

Headwaters map

Flood Scenario

• If this happens the first dam in Cohasset has the potential to overflow or break

• This abundance of water would then rush down stream destroying the much smaller dam in Grand Rapids

• Behind this dam is the historic business district and a residential housing area– Two hundred feet below dam water level

Location of Dams

• http://maps.google.com/maps?q=mississippi%20river%20headwaters&ndsp=20&svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=il

Danger!

• Water is not the only concern for this natural disaster

• Blandin is located at water level just up from the second dam

• Chemicals use in the paper making process at Blandin could contaminate the river water, putting the public in an immediate health danger

GIS

• May 24, 2006 the Governor’s council on Geographic Information met to discuss the states continuing effort to connect all of its GIS constituencies in the state

• Meeting held at Blandin• Members attending

– MN DNR, Blandin representatives, Local residents & members of the Itasca CC GIS Program

• Current status unknown

Grand Forks ND

• History of severe flooding of the Red River– Last major 1997

• Has a city wide emergency info system consisting of radio and TV broadcasts

Emergency information• Actions to reduce injuries associated with a flood

– Know the flood warning procedures and evacuate the flood hazard area when advised to do so.

– Do not attempt to walk through a flooded area. – Keep children away from flood waters, ditches, culverts, and storm drains. – Do not drive through a flooded area or around road barriers; the road may be washed out. – If your vehicle stalls in high water, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. – Have your electricity turned off by the Power Company or cut off all electric circuits at the

fuse panel or disconnect switches. Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. – If this is not possible, turn off or disconnect all electrical appliances. Don't use appliances or

motors that have gotten wet unless they have been taken apart, cleaned, and dried. – Shut off the water services and gas valves in your home. – Look out for animals, especially snakes. – Look before you step. After a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris and mud

and can be very slippery. – Be alert for gas leaks. Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Don't smoke or use candles,

lanterns, or open flames unless you know the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated.

– Use a generator or other gasoline-powered machine outdoors only, they can produce dangerous levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO).

Emergency InformationGrand Forks has also issued the flowing information of protecting your

property in the case of a flood emergency:

• Elevating the building so that flood waters don't enter or reach any damageable portions of it.

• Constructing barriers out of fill or concrete between the building and flood waters.

• "Dry flood proofing" to make the building walls and floor watertight so water does not enter.

• "Wet flood proofing" to modify the structure and relocate the contents so that when flood waters enter the building there is little or no damage.

• Preventing basement flooding from sewer backup or sump pump failure.