Environmental Considerations Location –Quarter mile stretch along the banks of the Mississippi...
-
date post
19-Dec-2015 -
Category
Documents
-
view
217 -
download
3
Transcript of Environmental Considerations Location –Quarter mile stretch along the banks of the Mississippi...
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.