Millions of gallons later, pond still a problem

Creston resident Randy Beavers is dreading the end of the week when a contractor who has been pumping 6 million gallons of water daily out of an unwelcome pond at his house has to remove the pump and take it to another job.

Beavers and his family members have endured a groundwater flood for more than three weeks at their properties on Bachelor Grade Road.

On Jan. 13, he hired Sandry Construction to pump water out to prevent additional flooding. After a week of almost nonstop pumping, however, the pond hasn’t shrunk much, Beavers said.

In the first couple of days of pumping, Beavers said the pond depth dropped by about a foot. But in the last three or four days, in spite of water being removed, the pond level is creeping back up.

He’s certain the pump has been effective. It was turned off for two hours on Saturday and in that time the pond came back up 2 1/2 inches, Beavers said.

The water is being piped over a hill behind the Beavers’ property into another pond. “We don’t know if we’re just recycling the water,” he said.

The Beavers family has three houses on the property. Randy and his wife live in the upper level of one house and his mother and sister live in the lower level. So far, that house hasn’t flooded. Nor has another house where one of Randy’s sons lives. It sits on somewhat higher ground.

The third house, which is split into an upper and a lower unit, is the troublesome spot, Beavers said.

His son and daughter-in-law, Ryan and Jessie, who live on the upper level, had to move out about three weeks ago.

While the high water haven’t yet reached the second level of that house, the lower level is completely flooded. Another son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Jessica, live on the lower level. They are in Africa doing mission work, Beavers said. Their house has been emptied out to save possessions from the water.

Beavers now is trying to figure out if they need to get a boat to haul furniture out of Ryan and Jessie’s home in the next few days.

Beavers doesn’t know if his property will qualify for any sort of government assistance. He plans to contact county officials regarding the disaster declaration for the state to determine if that will provide any help.

“I’ve been calling any and everyone,” he said.

His insurance won’t cover the losses.

Beavers bought the property 10 years ago. In 2006, groundwater flooded the site, too, but to a lesser extent than this year.

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.