Eds: APNewsNow.

Devils Lake, N.D. (AP) A spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineers says the agency hopes within the next couple months to determine the lake elevation that will trigger work to extend the levee protecting the city of Devils Lake.

Spokesman Kevin Bluhm (BLOOM) says the corps plans a two-phase levee raise if Devils Lake continues to rise. He says the first phase would add 5 feet to the levee in the city's Lakewood area.

The estimated construction cost for that phase is in the range of $72 million to $121 million.

Bluhm says the corps wants to make construction plans sooner rather than later because of all the work involved.

The corps scheduled a Wednesday night open house for area residents to see possible alignments.

Information from: KZZY-FM, http://lrradioworks.com (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-19-08 1137CST | save this article / add to your favorites list