"Road/Dike"

This is an elevated roadway in an area prone to extensive flooding. Due to its closeness to the border, and ongoing water management controversies, it has become a flashpoint in Manitoba-North Dakota relations.

Residents of Pembina County see the road as a dike, preventing the natural flow of water during floods, causing the North Dakota side to remain waterlogged longer.

The RM of Rhineland sees the highway as a vital transportation link, especially important during flood emergencies.

The dispute has been linked to the continued disagreement over the Devils Lake outlet, with each side insisting on concessions before making improvements to their offending waterworks.

A 2004 IJC report on the ongoing dispute and engineering work:
www.ijc.org/php/publications/pdf/ID1578.pdf

A 2000 IJC report on many Pembina River flooding issues:
www.ijc.org/rel/pdf/pembinafinal.pdf