The Rural Areas of Valley City

When I thought long and hard about where I would like to do my research paper on, I didn’t really have the fondest idea where I should focus on. Then when I thought about Valley City, the town I was born and raised in, where I have done so much and tried so hard. I thought about home, where this disaster hit me personally the hardest. The rural part of Valley City. Places such as the Stevens Ranch, the Pederson Farm, and my home, the Fairfield Ranch. I drove down the Kathryn Road today on my way to the Ranch and can still see the havoc this flood brought to our door step, literally. You can see the water line that the flood made from the fast moving currents filled with debris, you can see all the mud behind and gummed up drainage ditches that will need some serious work done to them. Many roads are still closed due to washed out areas. Claussen Springs was hit with a failure in the dike system there that almost washed out everything down stream. Almost every farm or ranch yard that’s close to the river either still has water in it, or has a lot of debris that will make this summer a pleasant one. The streets of Valley City are covered in clay dirt. Sewers are backed up and fail in certain areas of the town causing sewers to back up and fill places like the museum with sewage and the horrible smell that comes with it. Having to use port ‘o’ potties and not your usual bathroom facilities is a pain. The constant watch everyone had to make sure water usage was at a minimum to reduce that amount of pressure on the pipes and backed up sewer systems. Even with all of these things hitting the people of Valley City and the rural communities, everyday that water gets lower and lower and hope springs eternal.

Last but not least, I cannot forget all the hard work and effort everyone put towards this flood effort. VCSU students did their civic duty to this town and helped it out in the town’s time of need. The Public Works workers going 2-3 weeks strait without a single day off from work. The Mayor, Mary Lee Nielson, did a wonderful job making sure everyone was well informed of any situation and making announcement promptly. Our state governor and people who represent us giving us that extra boost of confidence to get through this hard time. I thank you all who have helped me, and helped this community!

Helicopter gives birds eye view of Valley City!

Hawkeye Helicopter Company has come to Valley City to give people a bird’s eye view of the City and the huge dike efforts our community put together. The helicopter company is based out of the twin cities and was in Fargo before coming here to Valley City. The part-owner, Greg Miller, says they will most likely go to Jamestown next after being here in Valley City. Miller says that they take people up after their property is safe and show them a bird’s eye view of their property to show them all they have done to save what they cherish most. Homes, businesses, building structures of all sorts and Miller even say that it never gets old, you will always find something new. The cost per person to take a flight at about 600 feet in the air is about forty dollars per person. Bob Krier, one of the pilots which has over 1,000 hours of flying time in a helicopter takes turns flying with the police detective from Champlin, Minnesota, Brian Wentworth. The helicopter takes off out of the AmericanInn/Sabir’s parking lot on Winter Show road. According to Miller, ninety-five percent of the passengers are flood fighting people who have either helped with sandbagging, building dikes, or saving their own homes. This is a link to the Hawkeye Helicopter Company: http://www.hawkeyehelicopters.com/who/company.shtml
The diking efforts that have gone on here in Valley City are astounding. People united in one great front to take this disaster by force to keep the town afloat. If it wasn’t for the great efforts of the truck drivers, heavy machine operators, National Guardsmen who help to protect and serve this great country, we would be in a world of hurt. We owe a ton of gratitude to all who helped with the chaotic situation that was bestowed upon us. I for one am very great full for all my buddies who came down to the farm at six in the morning to help out my family with the flood. This flood has changed the way I look at nature in all aspects. This has truly become a worldwide disaster that will never be forgotten by my generation or generations to come. Not only have I been affected, but everyone has been that lives along the Sheyenne River and any river that flooded over this last 1 ½ month period. My best of wishes to all that have had to deal with this flood, and I know we will get through it!