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Devils Lake, N.D. (AP) Devils Lake Mayor Fred Bott says he hopes a meeting with Valley City officials is just one of many discussions they have about water issues and flood control.

Tuesday's meeting includes a tour of the Tolna Coulee on the east end of Devils Lake. City officials have asked for state help in removing sediment from the coulee, saying they want to control the release of water from the flooded lake into the Sheyenne River.

Valley City gets its drinking water from the Sheyenne.

Devils Lake officials say the rising lake, which has more than tripled in size since 1993, already has caused nearly $1 billion in damage, including road repairs.

Bott said both Devils Lake and Valley City must work on flood control measures rather than waiting for nature to take over.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-10-09 0500CST | save this article / add to your favorites list