OXBOW, ND (KFGO AM) - Nearly two years since it was first discussed, contractors have started work on a massive, $70 million ring dike to protect Oxbow, Hickson and Bakke. Those communities south of Fargo would be flooded by the proposed F-M Diversion project.
Board Chairman Darrell Vanyo says the last of three permits for the dike was received Friday afternoon and contractors wasted little time moving heavy equipment into place and started pushing dirt Monday.
Oxbow mayor Jim Nyhoff calls the construction start "big news" for his town of 300 people.
The ring levee required the buyout of 40 homes. 38 of those will be rebuilt or moved to other sites within Oxbow. Portions of Oxbow Country Club golf course will also be relocated. The levee construction will take three years.