BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota regulators say they have increased inspections of oil wells near the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers because of a flooding threat.
Officials say recent rains could cause the confluence near Williston to exceed the flood stage of 22 feet by the weekend.
Department of Mineral Resources spokeswoman Alison Ritter says regulators have notified 13 companies who own about 80 wells in the area. The operators have been told to dike the sites and secure equipment to prepare for possible flooding.
Ritter says four wells near the confluence that have suffered flooding problems in the past are being shut down as a precaution.